Meta’s latest feature, Muse Image, integrated into Instagram, has ignited privacy debates due to its AI-driven image generation capability, which uses photos from public Instagram accounts by default. This new tool lets users utilize public Instagram profiles as references in prompts to craft custom AI images. However, privacy advocates warn that many individuals might not realize their publicly shared images can be harnessed in this manner, as the feature is automatically enabled.
Meta assures that the tool is equipped with safety measures, emphasizing that accounts set to private and users under the age of 18 are automatically excluded from the feature. Additionally, adult users with public profiles have the option to opt out by adjusting their privacy settings within the “Sharing and Reuse” section. Despite this, privacy experts argue that finding the opt-out option is not straightforward and assert that users should have been required to opt in before their photos became accessible for AI image creation.
Concerns have also been raised by advocates regarding the potential inclusion of children in photos posted by adults, which could allow their images to be used in AI-generated content, despite the existing protections for accounts belonging to minors. This has amplified the call for more robust privacy measures and clearer user consent protocols.
Meta has responded by stating that Muse Image incorporates safeguards to avert misuse and offers users the ability to report any inappropriate AI-generated images. Currently, the feature is accessible via the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories within the United States, and WhatsApp in select countries, with Meta planning further expansion.