Instagram Users Turn Off Meta AI Image Tool That Pulls Public Photos

Instagram users are disabling a default setting that allows Meta's new Muse Image AI tool to reference photos from public accounts when generating new images. The feature lets any user tag a public Instagram account in a prompt and incorporate that account's photos into AI-created pictures, edits, or custom ads. Private accounts and profiles of users under 18 are automatically excluded.

How the Feature Works Users receive no notification when their images are reused.

To stop the practice, account holders must open their profile, tap the three horizontal lines, scroll to Sharing and reuse, and turn off the toggle labeled Allow people to use your content on Instagram with AI features on Meta. The setting applies to both posts and reels. Meta has not released figures on how many accounts have changed the option.

Some users have already begun opting out.

SAG-AFTRA and Hollywood representatives have publicly raised concerns about the development. CAA, SAG-AFTRA and talent managers say the tool puts creators at risk.

A Pew Research Center survey found that 35 percent of respondents are more concerned than excited about the growing use of artificial intelligence. In 2019 the U.S. Federal Trade Commission fined Facebook $5 billion for violating a 2012 consent order on user data control after the Cambridge Analytica incident exposed data from up to 87 million users.