Meta’s introduction of a new AI-powered feature on Instagram, known as Muse Image, has stirred privacy concerns as it allows users to generate AI images using photos from public Instagram accounts by default. This tool enables users to create customized AI images by referencing public profiles, prompting privacy advocates to worry that many users might not realize their publicly shared photos could be utilized in this manner since the feature is automatically enabled.
In response to these concerns, Meta has emphasized that the tool incorporates safety measures. Private accounts and profiles of users under 18 are excluded from this feature. Furthermore, adult users with public accounts have the option to opt out by adjusting their privacy settings within the “Sharing and Reuse” section. However, privacy experts argue that the opt-out option is not easily accessible and assert that users should have been required to opt in before their content was made available for AI image creation.
Additional concerns have been raised by advocates who point out that photos posted by adults may include children, potentially leading to their images being incorporated into AI-generated content despite existing protections for underage accounts. This raises the question of whether the safety measures in place are sufficient to prevent unintended use of sensitive images.
Meta has assured that Muse Image is equipped with safeguards designed to prevent misuse and provides users with the ability to report inappropriate AI-generated images. Currently, the feature is accessible through the Meta AI app, on Instagram Stories in the United States, and on WhatsApp in select countries, with plans for broader availability.