Meta Removes Instagram AI Image Feature Following User Backlash
Meta's decision followed growing scrutiny from users and talent agencies.
Meta has withdrawn a recently introduced feature in its Muse Image AI model that allowed users to generate images by referencing public Instagram accounts, following criticism over privacy concerns.
The feature, unveiled last week as part of Muse Image from Meta Superintelligence Labs, enabled users to create AI-generated visuals by @-mentioning public Instagram profiles.
While Meta said users could control whether their public content could be referenced, the feature did not notify individuals when their images were used, prompting immediate backlash from users and privacy advocates.
Meta's decision followed growing scrutiny from users and talent agencies, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), over the potential misuse of publicly available Instagram content.
In a blog post announcing the decision, Meta said it had listened to user feedback and decided to discontinue the feature.
“Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way. We’ve heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it’s no longer available,” the company said.
The move comes amid broader concerns about the misuse of generative AI on social media platforms. AI image generation tools have faced criticism for enabling the creation of misleading or harmful content, including non-consensual deepfakes and manipulated images of public figures.
Meta has not provided additional details on whether it plans to introduce alternative safeguards or redesign the feature before considering a future rollout.
