Meta suspends Instagram Muse Image AI feature after user criticism
Meta announced that the Muse Image AI tool on Instagram has been disabled following user concerns over privacy and content usage.
Meta said on Friday that the Muse Image AI feature, which allowed users to generate images by mentioning public Instagram accounts, is no longer available. The company acknowledged that the tool "missed the mark" and cited privacy concerns and the automatic opt-in for users as reasons for its removal.
The feature worked by letting a user tag a public or unprotected Instagram feed, after which the AI could create new images or "remixes" based on that content, which were then posted online permanently.
The decision follows criticism from Creative Artists Agency, which urged Meta to add safeguards for Muse. A CAA spokesperson said artists should be able to control how their likenesses are used and that responsible AI requires clear disclosures and rapid removal of unauthorized content.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists also issued guidance for members on how to opt out of the tool through Instagram settings, urging them to protect their likenesses.
Meta previously defended the feature, stating that private accounts and accounts belonging to users under 18 were automatically excluded and that adult users with public accounts could opt out with a few clicks. The company added that it would enforce its Community Standards against any violating content.