Meta removes new AI image feature after days of backlash
Meta abruptly pulled a new feature that let users create fake images from Instagram public profiles using AI, after facing widespread criticism.
Meta has suddenly removed a new feature that allowed users to employ its artificial intelligence tool to generate fake images based on content from Instagram accounts. The feature was part of the broader rollout of Muse Image, a new AI image generation tool launched on Tuesday as part of Meta AI, the company's chatbot.
The feature enabled Meta AI users to tag public-facing Instagram accounts and rapidly use content from those accounts to create AI-generated or altered images. It quickly sparked backlash, leading Meta to admit it "missed the mark, so it's no longer available."
"Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way," Meta added in its decision to pull the feature. "We've heard the feedback."
When Meta announced the feature days ago, it said it was limited to Instagram, but more AI features and integrations were planned for WhatsApp, Facebook, and Messenger. The company also has an AI video tool in development.
