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Meta has released Muse Image, an AI tool that uses publicly-available Instagram profile pictures to generate images.<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Meta has released Muse Image, an AI tool that uses publicly-available Instagram profile pictures to generate images. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s perhaps not surprising that the release of Muse Image has quickly resulted in a sizeable public backlash, as users realize you have to opt out of your photo being used by the tool, rather than in. <\/p>\n
Muse Image is available through Meta AI and on WhatsApp<\/a> and in Instagram<\/a> Stories for users based in the U.S. <\/p>\n Meta described in a newsroom post<\/a> how Muse Image \u201cacts as the creative partner that knows your world, making it easy to turn your ideas into high quality visuals that you can download and share anywhere, including directly to your feed, story, or chat.\u201d<\/p>\n Yet experts warn Muse Image could be used by criminals and scammers.<\/p>\n \u201cLike with so many new features in tech platforms, many people will have no idea that they\u2019re opted in to this by default when their account is public,\u201d says Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at ESET. <\/p>\n Although Meta claims the feature will be used for \u201ccreativity,\u201d the worrying side effect is that any tool that makes impersonation easier \u201cinevitably opens itself up for abuse by criminals and scammers,\u201d Moore warns.<\/p>\n Meta said the company \u201cbuilt Muse Image with strong controls and safety guardrails from day one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPrivate accounts and those belonging to users under 18 are automatically excluded and adult users with public accounts can opt out with just a couple clicks,\u201d a spokesperson told me over email. \u201cWe will take action against any content that violates our Community Standards.\u201d<\/p>\n What Is Meta Doing To Make Muse Image Private? <\/p>\n Meta says Muse Image includes strict eligibility and minor protections: You cannot @-mention private accounts and any accounts belonging to users under the age of 18 . Additionally, teens cannot use this feature to tag or reference other accounts.<\/p>\n Meta also points to built-in safety guardrails. It claims Muse Image includes robust technical protections designed to block the generation of policy-violating content. Anyone who encounters a generated image they find objectionable can report it by pressing and holding the image, selecting the “thumbs down” option, and choosing a reason for reporting. Content that violates Meta\u2019s policies is subject to removal.<\/p>\n How To Opt Out Of Meta Muse Image Scanning <\/p>\n To opt out of Muse Image scanning for public Instagram accounts, open Profile > Menu.<\/p>\n There is a dedicated toggle located directly under Settings -> Sharing and reuse. By turning off “Allow people to reuse your content\u201d users instantly block others from @-mentioning their account to generate AI images.<\/p>\n Yet it\u2019s too late if anyone has already used your image. \u201cTurning off these reuse settings only prevents future AI image generation and reuse,\u201d says journalist Danny Bradbury on the Malwarebytes blog<\/a>. \u201cIt won\u2019t remove AI-generated content or remixes that already exist.\u201d<\/p>\n You can protect your account using security settings such as multi factor authentication. Private accounts are safer, says Moore. \u201cBut if your Instagram profile has to be public, it\u2019s worth reviewing your settings and turning off the option that allows people to reuse your content.\u201d<\/p>\n