Meta has removed an AI feature on Instagram that allowed users to modify photos from public accounts. The feature, which was introduced earlier this week as part of a batch of AI tools, was criticized and is no longer available, the company said. The tool, called Muse Image, was promoted for enabling users to generate images by @-mentioning public Instagram accounts they wanted to reference. However, the feature did not notify users if their photos were used in this way, leading to immediate backlash.
Meta issued a blog post on Friday announcing the removal of the feature, citing feedback that it had 'missed the mark.' The company stated its intent was to provide a useful creative tool and give users control over whether their content could be referenced. Dylan Byers of Puck News was the first to report the decision, noting the move came amid scrutiny from users and talent agencies, including CAA. TechCrunch also reached out to Meta for more information, with updates pending.
Since its integration with social media platforms, AI has been misused, often to generate nude images of female celebrities. Platforms have tried to mitigate this trend, but guardrails have often fallen short. In this case, the feature seemed likely to be abused in this way, as noted by Byers. The removal highlights ongoing challenges in balancing innovation with user privacy and safety.
Source: techcrunch
