The Meta AI feature launched this week allowed people to create images from public Instagram accounts. Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/ShutterstockView image in fullscreenThe Meta AI feature launched this week allowed people to create images from public Instagram accounts. Photograph: Samuel Boivin/NurPhoto/ShutterstockMeta ditches Muse Image AI feature because it ‘misses the mark’ on users’ privacyMeta was criticised for feature launched on Tuesday that automatically lets users generate images using content from public Instagram accountsMeta has said ⁠it is discontinuing an AI feature launched this week that allowed users to generate images using public Instagram ⁠accounts, after drawing widespread ⁠criticism over ​privacy concerns, including from a Hollywood union.“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 said in a statement.“We’ve heard the feedback that ⁠this feature missed the mark, so it’s no longer available,” it said.Instagram’s AI image generator alarms privacy expertsRead moreMeta, owner ​of Facebook and Instagram, had launched ‌Muse Image on Tuesday, its ‌first image-generation model from Meta Superintelligence Labs. The feature, integrated into its Meta ‌AI chatbot, can use photos as input and lets users edit generated images directly through sketches.The feature soon faced backlash over privacy concerns and being an automatic opt-in for users.Emmy-winning actor Hannah Einbinder, known for Hacks, criticised the feature on Instagram, saying it had been turned on automatically and urging users to ‌turn it off.SAG-AFTRA, the union representing actors and other media professionals, also urged members and other Instagram users on Thursday to opt ​out of the feature.“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.Following Meta’s decision to remove the feature, SAG-AFTRA welcomed the move.“With ​the dangers of nonconsensual ​digital replicas well known to ​all, a feature that encouraged that behavior is unwise. We appreciate ​its discontinuance. It ‌is the responsible ​thing to do,” ​a union spokesperson said.The reversal reflects increasing pressure on technology companies to give users clear control over how their publicly shared content is used by AI features.Get in touchContact us about this storyThe best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods:Secure Messaging in the Guardian appThe Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said.If you don’t already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select ‘Secure Messaging’. SecureDropIf you can safely use the tor network without being observed or monitored you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform.Our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. Show moreExplore more on these topicsMetaSocial mediaDigital mediaInstagramAI (artificial intelligence)PrivacyPrivacy & the medianewsShareReuse this content