Meta has rolled out a new AI image generator called Muse across Instagram, WhatsApp, and Meta AI — and it comes with a privacy catch that has users up in arms. All public Instagram accounts have been automatically opted in, allowing anyone to use your profile pictures and public photos to generate AI remixes.

Here’s what you need to know and how to opt out.

What Is Meta Muse?

On Tuesday, Meta announced its Muse Image generator, touting “advanced reasoning to understand complex prompts, seamlessly blending multiple photos into high-quality creations.” The feature adds 30 new effects for Instagram Stories — including a filter that makes your photo look like it was taken with a disposable camera — and integrates with Instagram’s image editor so you can preview effects before applying them.

But the real controversy lies in how the feature handles your data.

Automatically Opted In — Without Consent

As part of the update, every public Instagram profile is automatically opted in to Muse’s AI remixing capability. This means anyone can tag your username in a prompt and use Meta AI to generate a new image based on your likeness. As Meta cheerfully explains, “Tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that’s ready to post.”

The policy has sparked outrage on Reddit and other platforms, with users criticizing Meta for enabling what many see as a feature ripe for abuse. Since it’s opt-out rather than opt-in, countless users may not even be aware their content is being used this way.

How to Block Meta From Using Your Photos

Fortunately, you can disable this setting while keeping your account public. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile icon.
2. Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) at the top right.
3. Scroll down and select “Sharing and reuse” under the Settings menu.
4. Look for the section labeled “Allow people to create with and reuse your content.”
5. Toggle the setting off for both Posts and Reels.

It’s a straightforward fix, but there are some significant caveats.

What You Should Know

First, even after you disable the setting, you will not be notified if someone has already used Meta AI to remix your images. According to Instagram’s help center, there is no retroactive deletion — any previously generated remixes featuring your likeness will remain in place.

Second, the opt-out is only available on a per-account basis. If you manage multiple Instagram profiles, you’ll need to repeat the process for each one.

Given that Meta operates under stringent privacy regulations in Europe — Engadget’s Steve Dent noted the setting was turned on by default for his account in France — it’s likely regulators in the EU will take a close interest in this policy. Under GDPR, automatic opt-ins for AI training data are on shaky legal ground, and this could be far from the last we hear of Meta’s Muse rollout.

The Bottom Line

Meta’s Muse Image generator is a genuinely impressive piece of AI technology, but the way it handles user content has raised serious privacy concerns. If you value control over your digital likeness, it’s worth taking a few minutes to navigate to the Sharing and reuse settings and opting out — before someone remixes your face into something you didn’t sign up for.