Meta Pulls AI Image Feature Days After Launch

Meta has discontinued an AI image-generation feature three days after its launch following widespread criticism over privacy concerns.

Meta discontinues Muse Image after backlash. The company launched Muse Image on Tuesday as its first image-generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs. Integrated into its Meta AI chatbot, the feature allowed users to generate images using public Instagram accounts, use photos as input, and edit generated images directly through sketches. Meta said on Friday it is no longer available.

Feature faced automatic opt-in and privacy criticism. The tool drew backlash for being an automatic opt-in for users and raising privacy concerns. Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder criticized the feature on Instagram, saying it had been turned on automatically and urging users to turn it off. SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and other media professionals, urged members and other Instagram users to opt out.

SAG-AFTRA called automatic opt-in unacceptable. The union stated that anything other than a clear and conspicuous opt-in for these types of uses of Instagram users' images is unacceptable. It described the feature as an utter miscalculation of public sentiment regarding the obvious dangers and harms inherent in such use. Following Meta's decision, SAG-AFTRA welcomed the move.

Meta acknowledges feedback missed the mark. Meta said its intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way. The company added that it has heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark. A SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said with the dangers of nonconsensual digital replicas well known to all, a feature that encouraged that behavior is unwise, and that the discontinuance is the responsible thing to do.

Reversal reflects pressure on tech companies. The reversal reflects increasing pressure on technology companies to give users clear control over how their publicly shared content is used by AI features. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram. The report comes from Reuters on July 10.