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Meta Pulls Instagram Tool That Let AI Use Public Photos

The move flags new limits on how platforms may reuse public social media images for generative AI.

Overview

  • Meta removed the Muse Image capability that referenced public Instagram accounts after heavy backlash, with the company saying on Friday that the feature “missed the mark.”
  • The contested function let users @-mention any public Instagram handle in Meta AI so the model could draw on that account’s publicly posted photos to generate new images.
  • Critics said the rollout auto‑opted every public account by default, required a buried manual opt‑out setting, and in some reports the opt‑out toggle re‑enabled itself for some users.
  • Hollywood groups including SAG‑AFTRA and talent agencies and cybersecurity firms warned the feature risked nonconsensual likeness use, impersonation, scams and deepfakes, and urged stronger consent rules.
  • The Muse Image text‑to‑image model remains available for standard prompts, but the Instagram referencing feature is suspended as Meta faces creator pushback and possible regulatory scrutiny over data and consent.