On Tuesday, Meta launched “Muse Image,” a new AI feature that allows users to generate original images and ads using public Instagram photos. Users now face concerns over consent, as the platform can incorporate their publicly shared images into AI-generated creations without notification.

The issue is particularly contentious because only private accounts or those of minors are automatically excluded from this feature. For others, there’s a simple way to opt out: go to your profile settings and disable usage of your content for AI features on Meta across posts and reels.

This development arrives as tech giants increasingly integrate AI into social media platforms, sparking debates about privacy protections and transparency in data use. With 35% of people already expressing more concern than excitement over AI integration, it’s clear skepticism is growing.

Meta’s history with user privacy has further fueled these concerns. In 2019, the FTC fined Facebook $5 billion for misleading users about their control over personal data, following a scandal where Cambridge Analytica accessed data from up to 87 million users without consent.