Meta’s introduction of an AI-driven image generation tool on Instagram has ignited privacy concerns, as it permits users to create AI-generated images using photos from public Instagram accounts by default. This new feature, dubbed Muse Image, allows individuals to utilize public Instagram profiles in prompts to craft customized AI images. Privacy advocates warn that many users may be unaware their publicly shared photos are being used in this manner, as the feature activates automatically.
The company has highlighted safety measures embedded within the tool, clarifying that private accounts and users under the age of 18 are automatically exempt. For adult users with public accounts, an opt-out feature is available through privacy settings in the “Sharing and Reuse” section. Despite these assurances, privacy experts argue the opt-out option is not easily accessible and contend that users should have been required to opt in before their content was made available for AI image creation.
Concerns extend further to the potential inclusion of children in photos posted by adults, which could inadvertently allow their images to be referenced in AI-generated content. This is despite existing protections for accounts belonging to minors. Advocates stress the importance of addressing these vulnerabilities to ensure comprehensive privacy safeguards.
Meta has responded by stating that Muse Image incorporates measures to prevent misuse and offers users the ability to report inappropriate AI-generated images. Currently, the feature can be accessed through the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories in the U.S., and on WhatsApp in selected countries, with plans for broader availability in the future.