Meta has suspended its Muse Image AI image-generation feature, less than a week after launching it, following widespread criticism from Instagram users over how the tool handles public content and its potential for misuse in creating new images without notifying account owners.

Widespread criticism due to content usage mechanism

Muse Image relied on Meta’s Superintelligence Labs' first image generation model, allowing users to create new images based on public posts and photos on Instagram, with the ability to share results across various Meta platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.

However, the feature sparked significant controversy after it was discovered that public accounts were automatically included in content that could be reused by AI tools without prior notification of their owners. This led many users to express concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of their content.

Meta steps back and updates Instagram settings

In an update on its official blog, Meta announced the withdrawal of Muse Image, confirming that the decision was made after reviewing user feedback. The company stated that it aimed to provide a creative tool that would give users more control, but the experience did not meet the desired results.

The company also updated its Instagram settings by removing content reuse options associated with the feature, and it modified its settings page. Before the service was discontinued, users could protect their content by converting their accounts to private or disabling post reuse through app settings.

Meta’s rapid reversal of the feature reflects growing user sensitivity towards privacy, and confirms that reliance on published content in training or operating AI tools will remain one of the most debated issues in the coming period.