Meta's Muse Image AI Generator Uses Public Instagram Photos by Default, Sparking Privacy Backlash

Meta launched “Muse Image,” a new AI image generation feature, on July 7, allowing users to create original images, edit existing photos, and generate custom ads directly within its apps. But one particular capability has quickly become the center of controversy.

Muse Image allows users to generate AI images using photos from public Instagram accounts. As long as a person’s profile is public, another user can tag that account and use their images as part of an AI-generated creation. Only private accounts and accounts belonging to users under 18 are automatically excluded.

This has raised significant consent concerns. Users may have no idea that their public photos can be incorporated into AI-generated images by strangers, and they are not even notified when someone reuses their public content. Making it easy to manipulate people’s images opens the door to misuse, harassment, impersonation, and non-consensual image editing.

To opt out, users need to go to their profile, click the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner, select “Sharing and reuse,” and toggle off “Allow people to create with and reuse your content” for both posts and reels.

Muse Image arrives at a time when AI tools are being increasingly integrated into social media platforms. As tech companies race to roll out new generative AI features, many experts argue that stronger privacy protections and greater transparency are needed.

Public skepticism around AI is already high. According to a Pew Research Center survey, 35% of respondents said they are more concerned than excited about the growing use of artificial intelligence. Meta’s track record on user privacy has also fueled skepticism surrounding its latest AI feature.

In 2019, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission imposed a $5 billion fine against Facebook for misleading users about data control, following the Cambridge Analytica scandal that exposed data from up to 87 million users.