Meta’s latest artificial intelligence feature is facing mounting criticism after users discovered it can generate AI-created images using another person’s public Instagram profile photo.
The feature, called Muse Image, was launched earlier this week by Meta Superintelligence Labs and is available across the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories and WhatsApp. While the tool allows users to generate and edit AI images using text prompts, one capability has become the centre of an online privacy debate.
Users found that by simply tagging a public Instagram account, Muse Image can access that person’s profile photo and generate new AI-created images based on text instructions, prompting fresh concerns over consent and data use.
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Why is Meta’s new AI feature facing criticism?
Soon after its launch, social media users attacked Meta because it lets AI generate images out of public profile pictures without getting explicit consent from the account owner.
There were a lot of questions about why the option is available by default to all eligible public accounts rather than asking the users to opt-in for this feature.
❗️ Meta just silently opted in every adult Instagram user for their new Muse AI Image generator, which lets anyone create AI images of your likeness by tagging your public handle in a prompt, no notification when your photos are used, and no removal of images generated before you… pic.twitter.com/ZdxybJUepg
— International Cyber Digest (@IntCyberDigest) July 9, 2026
One person mentioned that using the pictures of others without their explicit consent was “a privacy landmine waiting to detonate,” and another person stated that Meta has been following its old tradition of collecting the data of its users and then addressing the issues that come up due to the backlash on a public platform.
A few other people called the feature “evil” and criticised the company for using the faces of its users to teach AI to create content.
Can you stop Meta AI from using your Instagram photos?
Meta says users with public accounts can disable the feature through a separate privacy setting.
To opt out, users need to:
Open Instagram Settings
Tap Sharing and Reuse
Turn off “Allow people to reuse your content on Instagram and with AI features at Meta” for posts and reels.
According to Meta, this option is available only for public accounts. Private Instagram accounts are not affected because their content cannot be reused through the feature.
What is Muse Image?
Muse Image is the new AI image generator from Meta that allows users to create artworks, edit photos and create stylized images using text prompts.
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According to the company, this new tool is meant to facilitate the process of creating AI images for their platforms. However, the ability to use information from public Instagram profiles to create AI images has been one of its most controversial functionalities since its launch.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns about how AI companies use public content from the internet to train generative AI.
FAQs
Can Meta AI use my Instagram photos?
Yes, if your Instagram account is public, your profile photo will be used to create AI images unless you disable this functionality via Instagram settings.
How do I disable Meta’s Muse AI feature?
Head over to Instagram Settings > Sharing and Reuse and switch off “Allow people to reuse your content on Instagram and with AI features at Meta.”