Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched a new AI model called Muse Image that automatically uses content from public Instagram profiles for generative AI remixes. As of the announcement on July 7, 2026, public accounts are opted in by default, enabling their photos, Reels, and profile pictures to be incorporated into AI-generated images.
How Muse Image Works
Users can now @-mention Instagram accounts in Meta AI prompts to generate images that incorporate the likeness of those profiles. According to Meta, “You can also @-mention Instagram accounts in the Meta AI app to bring specific Instagram profiles right into your images. Whether you want to design a custom event invitation, mock up a collaborative creative concept, or generate a personalized graphic, tagging a username lets Meta AI use public photos to build a visual that’s ready to post.” This feature is designed to facilitate creative projects such as event invitations and collaborative concepts.
Opting Out of AI Image Generation
Instagram users who wish to prevent their public posts from being used in Meta AI-generated remixes without making their accounts private can opt out through the app’s settings. To do so, users should open the Instagram app, go to their profile, tap the three-line menu in the upper-right corner, and navigate to “Sharing and reuse.” Under the section “Allow people to use your content on Instagram and with AI features on Meta,” users can disable separate toggles for Posts and Reels. Switching an account to private also prevents the use of photos for AI image generation, but existing AI images made with the user’s content will not be removed.
Implications for User Privacy
This move by Meta highlights a trend among tech companies to automatically enroll users in AI-related features without prior consent. Users who do not want their photos and videos used for AI-generated content must actively opt out, with the setting often buried within the app’s settings menu. The policy applies to public profiles only, but critics argue that the default opt-in approach may catch many users unaware.
