SAG-AFTRA Urges Instagram Users to Opt Out of Meta AI Photo Tool
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jul 10
SAG-AFTRA Urges Instagram Users to Opt Out of Meta AI Photo Tool
3 articles · Updated · Variety · Jul 10
Summary
SAG-AFTRA told members and all Instagram users to disable Meta’s new Muse Image setting, warning public-account photos can be turned into AI-generated images using a tagged profile.
Meta’s default setup lets people use public posts and Reels with its AI features unless users dig into Instagram’s settings and switch off separate toggles for each format.
Meta’s help center says users will not be notified when AI-generated content is created from their Instagram material, sharpening criticism that the system relies on opt-out rather than consent.
CAA said it raised concerns directly with Meta, and the backlash echoes resistance to OpenAI’s Sora video model, which used a similar opt-out approach before being shut down earlier this year.
Meta's AI can now use your face without consent. As new laws pass, who will ultimately own your digital identity?
While some AI firms now pay for data, Meta uses yours for free. Is the era of uncompensated data scraping ending?
With the NO FAKES Act advancing, can AI legally use your likeness without permission, even if your profile is public?
Meta’s Muse Image AI Faces Industry and Regulatory Scrutiny Amid Consent and Deepfake Fears
Overview
Meta launched Muse Image, an AI tool for generating images, around July 7, 2026. Integrated into the Meta AI app and meta.ai, Muse Image lets users create images for free or as part of Meta’s subscription plans. To ensure transparency, every image made with Muse Image carries an invisible Content Seal watermark, which helps identify AI-generated content even after editing. Muse Image uses public Instagram posts and Reels for training, raising privacy concerns. Users can opt out by changing their Instagram settings, but the default allows public content to be used, sparking debate about consent and user control.