Meta's introduction of AI-powered advertisements ignites a discussion on privacy concerns versus technological advancement as their launch approaches

Meta Platforms Inc. (META) plans to transform its advertising platform by utilizing data from user interactions with its AI features to provide highly personalized ads and content, beginning December 16, 2025, as reported by a

. Details shared in a blog post on Meta’s official website reveal that the company will gather first-party data from AI chat sessions, including exchanges with its chatbot and smart devices like Ray-Ban , to enhance recommendations for posts, reels, and advertisements. This initiative is designed to increase user activity and improve advertiser returns by customizing content based on insights from AI-powered interactions.

This development follows a broader industry trend where advertising platforms increasingly use AI to interpret user activity without relying on third-party cookies. Notably, Meta’s rollout will exclude sensitive categories such as health and politics to address privacy concerns. The company stresses adherence to local laws, including the EU’s GDPR, which allows users to opt out of this data use for advertising. However, in the United States, users will not have an opt-out option, prompting debate over data rights and openness.

Reactions from industry professionals are varied. Linguist Emily Bender cautions that the update may motivate Meta to create AI tools that encourage users to spend more time interacting, thereby collecting more data. Meanwhile, digital marketing agencies such as Ignite Visibility note that advertisers can adapt by adopting first-party data strategies to remain compliant while expanding their audience.

Meta’s strategy also highlights its efforts to stay ahead in the AI-driven advertising sector. As rivals like X (formerly Twitter) test AI for ad improvements, Meta’s use of AI chat data could set new standards for highly targeted marketing. Experts believe this move could shape industry practices, encouraging stronger privacy protections as companies balance innovation with consumer confidence.

Elsewhere, several companies have announced notable financial results. The Vita Coco Company (COCO) has raised its full-year 2025 outlook, now expecting net sales between $580 million and $595 million, fueled by robust coconut water demand and new product launches, according to a

. Likewise, MGP Ingredients (MGPI) posted mixed financials, with a drop in Branded Spirits sales but better-than-expected performance from Premium Plus spirits like Penelope Bourbon, as detailed in an .

On the global stage, financial results were mixed. Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. (009150.KS) saw its Q3 2025 net profit jump 91% year-over-year to 219.85 billion won, thanks to increased sales and operating profits, according to a

report. In contrast, Mechanics Bancorp (MCHB) is projected to report a loss of 1 cent per share, despite an anticipated 18.5% rise in revenue, based on an .

In regulatory developments, Beijing courts sentenced five people to prison terms ranging from 2 to 4 years for operating a USDT-based foreign exchange scheme that illegally transferred $1.18 billion overseas, according to a

. This case highlights China’s tough approach to stablecoin violations, even after its 2021 ban on crypto trading.