Meta has turned off a newly announced Instagram feature that allowed users to create AI images based on content from public accounts, after privacy campaigners warned it was a 'recipe for disaster'.
Key facts
- Meta announced a feature letting users generate AI images from public Instagram accounts by tagging them.
- Content from any public account could be used in AI creations without the owner's permission.
- Meta said people could opt out, but privacy campaigners called it a 'recipe for disaster'.
- Following significant backlash, Meta turned off the feature days after announcing it.
Meta has switched off an Instagram feature that allowed users to generate AI images based on content from public accounts, after the tool drew significant criticism, according to reports from the BBC and The Verge.
The feature, announced this week, let people create AI images from any public Instagram account simply by tagging it. As originally set up, this meant content from any public account could be used in AI creations without the account owner’s permission, according to The Verge.
When the feature was launched, Meta said that people could opt out of having their content used, the BBC reported. However, privacy campaigners were unconvinced, with one description calling the arrangement a ‘recipe for disaster’.
Following the backlash, Meta reversed course. The Verge reported that the company turned off the feature just days after announcing it, having faced significant public criticism over how it handled the use of people’s images.
The episode highlights ongoing tension between technology companies rolling out generative AI tools and concerns about consent and the use of personal content online. The rapid reversal underscores how quickly public pressure can force changes to newly released features.
Why it matters
The feature raised questions about consent and control over personal images shared publicly online, an issue affecting millions of Instagram users. Meta's quick reversal shows how public and campaigner pressure can shape how major tech companies deploy generative AI tools.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Instagram AI feature do?
According to The Verge, the feature let users generate AI images based on content from public Instagram accounts simply by tagging them, without the account owner's permission as originally set up.
Is the feature still available?
No. The Verge reported that Meta turned off the feature just days after announcing it, following significant backlash.
Could users opt out of the feature?
Meta said people could opt out, according to the BBC, but privacy campaigners criticised the approach as a 'recipe for disaster'.