{"slug": "meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot", "title": "Meta Killed Its Creepy AI Photo-Cloning Tool But Instagram Users Still Cannot Block Some Data Use", "summary": "Meta scrapped its Muse Image AI tool after public backlash and opposition from SAG-AFTRA over privacy concerns, but Instagram users still cannot block the use of their voice recordings, written text, or profile comments by Meta's AI technology.", "body_md": "# Meta Killed Its Creepy AI Photo-Cloning Tool But Instagram Users Still Cannot Block Some Data Use\n\n## AI tool sparked anger by automatically enrolling IG users into system that allowed others to clone their public photos\n\nPublic backlash over privacy fears, spearheaded by a prominent Hollywood union, has forced Meta to scrap an artificial intelligence tool just days after its release.\n\nThe now-defunct feature gave users the ability to [create](https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/instagram-ai-image-feature-privacy-concerns-1807950) synthetic images by drawing directly from public Instagram profiles.\n\nIn an official statement, the tech firm said the project was originally designed as a creative tool that would still respect individual user boundaries around public data. However, acknowledging that public response clearly showed the software had failed to meet expectations, Meta confirmed the technology had already been taken offline.\n\n## How Muse Image Sparked Privacy Concerns\n\nThe controversy stems from the Tuesday launch of Muse Image, the inaugural image-generation model developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs for Facebook and Instagram. Embedded directly within the Meta AI chatbot, the software allowed users to upload photos as prompts and alter the resulting images using manual sketches.\n\nHowever, the technology immediately sparked an uproar over privacy concerns and the fact that the platform automatically enrolled everyone into the system by default.\n\n## Hollywood Stars and SAG-AFTRA Lead Opposition\n\nThe rollout faced immediate [pushback](https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/caa-urges-meta-strengthen-ai-consent-muse-image-1807824) from high-profile figures, including Hacks star Hannah Einbinder. The Emmy winner took to Instagram to warn the public that the system had been enabled by default, prompting her followers to manually deactivate it. By Thursday, SAG-AFTRA had also joined the fray, with the entertainment union actively advising both its members and the wider public to opt out of the controversial feature.\n\n'Anything other than a clear and conspicuous opt-in for these types of uses of Instagram users' images is unacceptable, and an utter miscalculation of public sentiment regarding the obvious dangers and harms inherent in such use,' SAG-AFTRA said.\n\n## How the AI Feature Worked\n\nTo generate AI visuals, a user simply had to mention a public Instagram handle within the Meta AI application and instruct the chatbot to create new imagery. The software would then scan the target individual's profile and use their existing uploaded photos to generate new synthetic images.\n\nAccording to a Meta spokesperson, the feature automatically excludes users under the age of 18, as well as anyone with a private profile, while remaining simple to switch off in just two clicks. The tech giant also emphasised that it would remove any generated material found to be in breach of its platform safety guidelines.\n\n## Privacy Settings and What Changes Now\n\nSwitching your profile to private is the simplest way to secure your data and opt out entirely. Alternatively, if you prefer to keep your profile public, you can navigate to the Instagram settings menu and locate the 'Share and Reuse' section. From there, find the option labelled 'Allow People to Reuse Your Content on Instagram and With AI Features' and switch it off.\n\nThe platform also provides controls to adjust these artificial intelligence permissions for specific clips and images. However, Meta clarified that users are unable to prevent their voice recordings, written text or profile comments from being used by its AI technology.\n\nUltimately, Meta's decision to withdraw the tool means Instagram users no longer need to navigate these privacy settings, a swift reversal that was quickly welcomed by SAG-AFTRA.\n\n© Copyright IBTimes 2025. All rights reserved.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot", "canonical_source": "https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/meta-halts-ai-tool-privacy-backlash-1808284", "published_at": "2026-07-13 09:02:24+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-13 09:09:59.808063+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["generative-ai", "ai-ethics", "ai-policy"], "entities": ["Meta", "Instagram", "Muse Image", "SAG-AFTRA", "Hannah Einbinder", "Meta Superintelligence Labs"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/meta-killed-its-creepy-ai-photo-cloning-tool-but-instagram-users-still-cannot.jsonld"}}