Meta Platforms has taken down its newly introduced Muse Image AI feature, just days after its launch, due to significant backlash over privacy issues and its utilization of public Instagram content. The feature, which debuted earlier this week, allowed users to generate and edit AI-driven images using publicly accessible Instagram photos. Integrated into Meta AI, it enabled image modification through sketches and prompts based on photos.
The feature’s introduction quickly drew criticism as it was activated by default for eligible users, leading to concerns about consent and the usage of public images in AI creations. This sparked a response from entertainment industry union SAG-AFTRA and several public figures, who demanded its removal, stressing that users should have had the option to opt in before their content was used.
In reaction to the criticism, Meta stated that the feature did not align with users’ expectations and confirmed its withdrawal. The company emphasized that their intention was to provide a creative tool while ensuring that users had control over how their public content was referenced.
This decision underscores the increasing demand on tech companies to implement transparent consent processes and bolster privacy protections for AI-powered features. It highlights the ongoing debate over how personal and public data is utilized in the development of artificial intelligence technologies.