Meta's AI image tool sparks privacy backlash

Meta just dropped a new AI image generator called Muse Image that lets you create or edit photos right in Instagram and Facebook. But here’s the kicker: anyone can use your public Instagram pics to fuel their AI creations. If your profile is public, strangers can tag your account and remix your photos into something new. There’s no notification, no consent asked, and no way to know unless you check. This is raising serious red flags about consent and misuse — imagine your face showing up in ads or manipulated content without your knowledge. Meta says private accounts and users under 18 are safe, but for everyone else, it’s a wild west. To opt out, dive into your profile settings, hit ‘Sharing and reuse,’ and toggle off the option that lets people create with your content. This launch comes amid growing distrust of AI, with a recent Pew survey showing 35% of Americans are more concerned than excited about AI. Plus, Meta’s history with privacy scandals like Cambridge Analytica doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Why it matters: This feature underscores the urgent need for clearer consent rules and transparency controls as tech giants race to embed generative AI into every corner of social media.