Meta officially declined to join the European Unions voluntary Code of Practice for generative AI on July 21, 2025. This move, as reported by The Verge, creates a notable split among tech giants and demonstrates a fundamentally different approach to engaging with European regulators compared to competitors like OpenAI, who had previously publicly endorsed the initiative. The Code, proposed by the European Commission, is a set of voluntary commitments for AI developers to ensure safety, transparency (e.g., labeling AI-generated content), and responsible technology development. It was conceived as an interim self-regulatory measure until the full provisions of the stricter, legally binding AI Act come into force. In its official refusal, Meta cited "legal uncertainty" in some of the codes provisions. The companys legal team appears to fear that signing a voluntary and potentially vaguely worded document could create unforeseen legal risks and be used against the company in future proceedings under formal legislation. The company is signaling a preference for adhering strictly to the letter of enacted laws rather than voluntary pacts. This step stands in stark contrast to OpenAIs position, which actively demonstrates a willingness to cooperate with regulators worldwide to jointly shape rules. Metas refusal could somewhat weaken the political significance of the voluntary code and signals a more cautious and possibly more confrontational legal strategy from the company regarding European AI regulation.
Meta Declines to Sign EUs Voluntary AI Code of Practice
