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Meta's AI Image Generator Sparks Privacy Concerns

WireByte Staff · July 9, 2026

Meta's new AI image generator, Muse Image, has raised concerns among privacy experts as it generates photos of users with public profiles without their notification. The tool can pull faces from public Instagram posts and create images. Users can opt out by switching to private profiles or using controls in settings.

Key points

  • Meta released Muse Image, an AI image generator, on Instagram that can create photos from public profiles without user notification.
  • The tool can pull faces from public Instagram posts and generate images, sparking concerns among privacy experts.
  • Users can opt out by switching to private profiles or using controls in settings, such as the 'sharing and reuse' section.
  • Meta claims Muse Image has 'strong controls and safety guardrails' and will take action against content violating community standards.
  • Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes suggests switching to private profiles as a solution, but notes it's a 'blunt solution'.

Meta's AI Image Generator Sparks Privacy Concerns

Meta's new AI image generator, Muse Image, has raised concerns among privacy experts as it generates photos of users with public profiles without their notification. The tool can pull faces from public Instagram posts and create images.

The feature has been met with criticism from privacy advocates, who argue that users should be notified when their posts are integrated into the AI image generator. However, Meta claims that Muse Image has 'strong controls and safety guardrails' from day one.

Users can opt out of having their photos fed into the AI image generator by switching to private profiles or using controls in settings. According to Meta, adult users with public accounts can opt out with easy-to-use controls. The company also directs users to the 'sharing and reuse' section of settings, where they can toggle a button to opt out.

Cybersecurity company Malwarebytes suggests switching to private profiles as a solution, but notes that it's a 'blunt solution'. The company argues that it prevents strangers from using public profiles as source material, but may not be the most convenient option for users who want to keep their accounts public.

As the use of AI image generators continues to grow, concerns about privacy and security are likely to remain a major issue. Regulators and industry leaders will need to work together to establish clear guidelines and safeguards to protect users' rights and prevent misuse of their data.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.