Meta has discontinued a feature within its recently launched Muse Image AI generator that allowed users to create AI-generated content by tagging public Instagram accounts, following significant criticism over privacy and consent concerns. The tool, part of a broader rollout by Meta Superintelligence Labs earlier this week, had allowed users to reference others’ public photos without notifying the account owner, prompting immediate backlash.
In a blog post published Friday, Meta said the feature “missed the mark” and confirmed it was no longer available, stating that its original intent had been to offer a creative tool while giving users control over how their public content could be used. Puck News founding partner Dylan Byers was among the first to report the reversal, noting that the decision came amid scrutiny from users and talent agencies, including CAA.
The removal follows a broader pattern of AI misuse across social platforms, particularly involving the nonconsensual generation of images using real people’s likenesses. Critics had argued that Meta’s feature carried an elevated risk of similar abuse given its ability to incorporate real users’ photos without their knowledge or consent.
