Meta patents AI simulation of deceased users – Reddit reacts with outrage

In late 2025, Meta secured a patent that has since sparked intense debate. Originally filed in 2023, the application describes a system capable of automatically continuing the social media accounts of deceased or long-term inactive users using a large language model. The AI would analyze past posts, comments, likes, and messages to replicate a person’s writing style and communication patterns as accurately as possible. It could even engage with other users independently – with the aim of making these interactions appear authentic.

The system’s deepfake capabilities are especially controversial. According to the patent, it could simulate not only text but also voices, videos, and even phone calls. In theory, a digital avatar could continue speaking and responding after a person’s death. At the same time, the patent does not focus exclusively on death. It also outlines scenarios involving extended inactivity – such as influencers taking a break while still aiming to maintain their online presence and audience reach.

Meta has no plans to implement the system – yet outrage remains high

Meta emphasizes that there are currently no plans to put this concept into practice. Patents are often filed simply to safeguard potential technologies for future use. Nevertheless, the idea raises serious questions. Who would own AI-generated content after someone’s death? How would posthumous personality rights be protected? And what would it mean for people’s mental health if they were to interact regularly with a digital simulation of someone who has passed away?

On Reddit, the patent has sparked intense criticism. A widely discussed thread on the topic is filled with terms such as “dystopian,” “tasteless,” and “immoral.” Many users accuse Meta of attempting to profit even from death. Several commenters reference the series Black Mirror, particularly the episode Be Right Back, in which a woman communicates with an AI version of her deceased partner. What once seemed like dark fiction now appears at least technically feasible. Whether Meta will ever turn this concept into an actual service remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the debate surrounding digital immortality has gained renewed momentum.