Meta’s new AI image tool scrapes your public Instagram photos — here’s how to stop it

Meta launched its “Muse” AI image generator this week, integrated directly into Instagram and WhatsApp. The tool lets anyone create AI-generated images — selfies, avatars, or other illustrations — based on public Instagram profile photos. Within days, a BBC report triggered widespread privacy outcry, as users discovered their images could be used without their explicit consent.

This is not a hypothetical risk. If your Instagram account is public, your profile picture can now be fed into Meta’s AI model to generate new images that you never approved. Here’s how it works, why it matters, and — most importantly — what you can do about it right now.

What happened

On July 8, 2026, Meta released Muse, an AI image generator that pulls from public Instagram profile pictures. The feature is integrated into both Instagram and WhatsApp, allowing users to generate images of themselves or others as long as the source profile is public. Private accounts are not affected.

The BBC reported that many users only learned about the change after seeing AI-generated versions of themselves shared by others. The outcry was immediate, with critics calling the default setting invasive. Meta says the feature is designed for creative expression, but privacy advocates argue it should require opt-in consent, not opt-out.

Why it matters

Using public photos to train or power an AI image generator creates several concrete risks:

  • Identity theft and impersonation. AI-generated images can be used to create fake profiles or impersonate someone online with a convincing likeness.
  • Deepfakes. Non-consensual deepfake images, including explicit content, have already been a growing problem. A library of scraped profile photos makes this easier.
  • Children’s safety. The BBC also recently reported that Instagram was running ads promoting child sexual abuse material in India, and published a separate piece warning parents not to publicly share children’s images amid AI abuse risks. Public profile pictures of children are now exposed to the same AI scraping.

The combination of these factors — a publicly available photo dataset, a powerful generative AI tool, and weak default privacy settings — puts everyday users at risk, especially those who have not changed their account settings since the launch.

What readers can do

You have a few practical steps you can take right now to prevent your photos from being used by Muse or similar future tools.

1. Switch your Instagram account to private

This is the most effective single action. Only public profile photos are scraped. Here’s how:

  • Open Instagram, go to Settings → Privacy → Account Privacy.
  • Toggle Private Account on.

Once private, your existing photos and future posts are visible only to approved followers. This also blocks Muse from accessing your profile picture for image generation.

2. Remove or replace your profile picture

If you want to keep a public account for other reasons but do not want your face used by AI, consider removing your profile picture or replacing it with a generic image, a logo, or an illustration. You can keep the rest of your content public.

3. Opt out of AI training in Instagram settings

Meta provides an opt-out for using your data to train AI models. This setting may not stop current image generation (Muse may still access your public profile picture even if you opt out of training), but it limits future use. To find it:

  • Go to Settings → Privacy → Data Sharing → AI Training.
  • Toggle the setting off.

Note: This option may not appear for all users depending on location and account type. Check regularly, as Meta updates these menus.

4. Review your children’s accounts

If your child has a public Instagram account, consider making it private immediately. The same steps apply. The BBC’s recent reporting on child safety and AI abuse underscores why this is urgent.

What Meta says

Meta has stated that Muse only uses public profile photos and that users can opt out of AI training. However, the default is opt-out rather than opt-in, meaning your data is used unless you take action. Critics, including privacy groups, argue that this design places the burden on users rather than respecting consent from the start.

There is also the broader context: Meta’s handling of child safety on its platforms has been under scrutiny, and the launch of a tool that automatically scrapes public images — including those of minors — adds to those concerns.

Taking action now

The changes are live. If you value your privacy, the safest approach is to switch your account to private as soon as possible. If that’s not practical for your use case, at minimum opt out of AI training and consider replacing your profile picture.

These steps are not permanent fixes — AI image generation is evolving fast, and future tools may find other ways to use your data. But for now, these settings give you a meaningful degree of control. Take five minutes today to check your Instagram privacy settings. Your photo is yours, not a free resource for AI models.

Sources:

  • BBC: “Outcry as Meta lets users make AI images from public Instagram profile pics” (July 8, 2026)
  • BBC: “India orders Meta to remove ads promoting child sexual abuse” (July 6, 2026)
  • BBC: “Parents warned not to publicly share children’s images amid AI abuse risks” (July 3, 2026)
  • MSN / Meta: “Meta launches Muse Image AI with Instagram, WhatsApp integration” (July 8, 2026)