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TechMeta's Muse Image AI faces backlash from SAG-AFTRA over unauthorized use of public Instagram photos
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Meta is facing widespread condemnation after launching Muse Image, its first image generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs, on July 7, 2026. The feature, available in Meta AI, allows users to tag or mention public Instagram accounts to instantly incorporate their public photos and media into AI-generated images without explicit consent. Hollywood talent union SAG-AFTRA slammed the feature on X, urging members and non-members to revoke usage permissions to protect their likenesses. The backlash is heightened by recent controversies, including Elon Musk's X allowing users to create sexual deepfakes via the Grok AI chatbot. Meta claims users can control this by toggling a setting under 'Sharing and reuse' in Instagram settings, though the update may not be visible to all users yet. The article provides step-by-step instructions for opting out.
Source report
Muse Image, introduced earlier this week, was the first image generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs and is available in Meta AI.
Published – July 10, 2026 01:17 pm IST By The Hindu Bureau
Meta is facing widespread condemnation after a new feature allows users to instantly turn publicly available photos and other people’s media into AI-generated content without their consent.
Muse Image, launched on July 7, is the first image generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs and is available in Meta AI. The AI model enables users to tag or mention a public Instagram account via the Meta AI app, bringing other users’ profiles and media into their own images.
“Whether you want to design a custom event invitation, mock up a collaborative creative concept, or generate a personalised graphic, tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that’s ready to post,” Meta said in a blog. “You have control over how your content can be tagged for AI creation with an easy setting to turn this feature off at any time.”
Industry Backlash
Hollywood talent union SAG-AFTRA slammed Meta in a post on X on July 10, urging both members and non-members to revoke usage permissions. The union warned about the dangers of images being used in such a manner.
“Meta now lets anyone use your Instagram photos in AI images without your consent. SAG-AFTRA recommends that #SagAftraMembers (and all Instagram users) opt-OUT of Meta’s new AI image generation tool, Muse Image. Take action to protect your likeness,” the union posted.
Users are especially wary of AI-morphed images after Elon Musk-owned X allowed users to “nudify” real people’s profile photos through the Grok AI chatbot, or create sexual deepfakes with real people’s photos and circulate them on X.
How to Turn Off Permissions
To prevent public photos from being used or remixed into AI creations, users can:
- Go to their Instagram settings
- Look for the “Sharing and reuse” section
- Toggle the permission controls that allow others to use your Instagram content for AI creations
Note: The update may not be visible to all users yet.
Published – July 10, 2026 01:17 pm IST
Source
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Regional
Part of this Story
Meta Pulls Instagram Muse AI After Privacy Backlash Over Public Photo Use