Meta Denies Torrenting Porn to Train AI, Says Downloads Were for “Personal Use”

Why It Matters

The outcome will influence how tech firms are held accountable for network misuse and the provenance of data used in AI models, shaping future copyright enforcement and corporate compliance in the rapidly expanding generative‑AI market.

Summary

Meta has moved to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Strike 3 Holdings that accuses the company of illegally torrenting about 2,400 adult films to train an undisclosed AI model, seeking damages exceeding $350 million. Meta argues the downloads, spanning seven years and averaging roughly 22 titles per year, were isolated instances of personal use by employees, contractors or visitors, and occurred before its AI initiatives began. The company says there is no evidence the content was used for AI training and points to its policy prohibiting adult material in AI development. Strike 3 must now respond to Meta’s claim that the allegations are based on guesswork and that the plaintiff is a copyright troll.