In brief
Meta abruptly pulled its new Muse Image feature, which allowed users to generate AI‑created images from public Instagram accounts, amid backlash over privacy and consent. The tool let anyone with a public feed be used without permission, prompting criticism from Sag‑Aftra and Privacy International. Meta admitted it "missed the mark" and has now disabled the feature, pledging better controls. The incident highlights growing scrutiny of AI image generation and the need for stricter user protections.
Meta abruptly removed its Muse Image feature, which had let users remix content from public Instagram accounts using a new AI tool. The feature was part of a broad rollout of Meta’s first AI image generator, Muse Image, on Tuesday and allowed the AI chatbot to tag public accounts and use their posts to create altered images.
Within hours, the feature sparked backlash over privacy concerns: users could be used without their knowledge or permission, sparking criticism from the Hollywood union Sag‑Aftra and the human‑rights charity Privacy International.
Meta admitted it had "missed the mark" and decided the tool was no longer available, explaining it intended to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced. Meta has declined to comment further and cited feedback from the public as the reason for the pull.
When Muse Image was announced, Meta said it was limited to Instagram, but would expand to WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger later, with an AI video tool in development. The removal underscores the rapid regulatory and public scrutiny that accompanies new AI capabilities on major platforms.
