Meta is facing scrutiny over potential privacy concerns as users report that the company may be scanning their entire camera roll without explicit consent. The issue revolves around a Facebook feature that provides “custom sharing” suggestions using photos stored on users’ devices.
Reports indicate that Facebook has automatically enabled two settings related to camera roll access. These toggles, which control the “custom sharing” feature, appear to have been activated without clearly requesting permission from users. As a result, many are concerned that Meta may be accessing and analyzing their photos without full awareness or consent.
The “custom sharing” feature uses photo data—including embedded dates, recognized people, and identified objects—to generate suggested albums, collages, recap posts, or even AI-generated variations. This functionality requires access to the device’s camera roll, extending beyond images explicitly uploaded or shared on the platform.
Meta requires camera roll access to allow users to upload, post, and send images and videos through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The current concern arises from the possibility that this access may include photos not actively shared by the user, raising questions about the scope of data collection.
Meta emphasizes that the photo suggestions are visible only to the user and are not used for targeted advertising.
How to disable Facebook custom sharing feature
Open the Facebook app and ensure you are logged in.
Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner of the app.
Go to Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.
Scroll to Camera Roll Sharing Suggestions and tap it.
On the preference page, turn off the toggles labeled “Custom sharing suggestions from your camera roll” and “Get camera roll suggestions while browsing Facebook”.
If the toggles are blue and the circles are pushed to the right, the feature is active. Tap each toggle to push the circle left, turning it grey, which will deactivate camera roll sharing.
