Meta Platforms has pulled the plug on its newly launched Muse Image AI feature just a few days after its debut, following a surge of backlash over privacy issues and its utilization of public Instagram content. The image-generation tool, introduced earlier in the week, enabled users to create and modify AI-generated images using photos available on Instagram. Integrated into the Meta AI system, it offered functionalities such as image editing through sketches and prompts based on photographs.
The introduction of this feature quickly drew criticism, as it was activated by default for eligible users, sparking debates about consent and the ethical use of public images in AI technology. Concerns were voiced by the entertainment industry’s union, SAG-AFTRA, alongside several public figures, who demanded the feature be retracted. They argued that users should have been given the choice to opt in before their content was employed in such a manner.
In response to the mounting criticism, Meta acknowledged that the feature did not align with user expectations and confirmed its removal. The company remarked that its intention was to offer a creative tool while ensuring that users maintained control over how their public content was referenced.
This decision underscores the increasing pressure on tech companies to implement transparent consent processes and enhance privacy safeguards for AI-driven features. As users become more vocal about privacy rights, technology giants face growing demands to ensure their innovations respect and protect user data.