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[TECHNOLOGY] · United States · 60 sources

Meta removes Instagram AI image generator following privacy outcry

Meta launched the Muse Image AI tool on Instagram, enabling users to generate new images by referencing photos from public Instagram accounts. The feature was enabled by default for all public profiles, allowing anyone to tag a username and have the AI use that person’s pictures without prior consent.

The rollout sparked swift criticism from users, privacy advocates and the Hollywood union SAG‑AFTRA. Meta said, “Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way,” but SAG‑AFTRA countered that “anything other than a clear and conspicuous opt‑in … is unacceptable.”

Facing the backlash, Meta announced on Friday that the functionality would be discontinued. The Muse Image model itself remains available, but the ability to auto‑reuse public Instagram content has been removed just days after its debut. Existing images created before the shutdown are not automatically deleted.

Sources

4 days ago