SEATTLE – When Meta unveiled an artificial intelligence image generator called Muse Image on July 7, it came with a feature that let users create AI images based on people’s Instagram photos.

Any adult with a public Instagram account was automatically opted in. Using the Meta AI app, the company’s standalone chatbot, other users could pull from “part or all of your published photos” to create new AI images, the company wrote in a blog post.

“In addition, people may be able to create content with your Instagram content using AI features at Meta,” the company added.

Here is how it works: On the Meta AI app, a user can tag a public Instagram account and direct the chatbot to create new AI photos based on photos from that person’s account.

The privacy backlash was immediate. Along with automatically enrolling users in the feature, Meta did not notify people when their accounts were used to generate AI images.

Hundreds of users took to social media to decry the new feature, asking how they could opt out while criticising the company for a lack of consent.

One user said on social media that the feature was “a privacy landmine waiting to detonate”, while others on Instagram shared templates for how to disable it.

A Meta spokesperson said in a statement that private accounts and users under 18 were excluded from the new feature, which can be disabled “with just a couple clicks”.

“We will take action against any content that violates our Community Standards,” the company added.

What can I do about this?

The easiest way to opt out and protect your account is to set your account to private.