Meta on Tuesday unveiled Muse Image, its latest AI image generator developed by Meta Superintelligence Labs — the company's dedicated AI unit. Internally code-named "Mango," the model is now available for free through the Meta AI app, Instagram Stories, and WhatsApp messages.
Muse Image offers familiar generative capabilities: users can create cartoonish illustrations, advertising mockups, and decorative visuals from text prompts. Meta also ships "presets" — prefabricated prompts designed to spark creativity.
But the controversy was immediate. Muse Image allows users to manipulate another Instagram user's photos as long as that person's profile is public. By simply tagging the person, anyone can use their image to seed a new AI-generated creation — without notification or explicit consent.
"Pulling real users into generated photos without explicit consent is a privacy landmine waiting to detonate," one X user wrote after The Verge highlighted the feature.
Meta's policy states that "people may be able to create content with your Instagram content using AI features at Meta" and that "you will not be notified about content created using AI features at Meta."
The rollout marks the first major public-facing product from Meta Superintelligence Labs since the unit was established in early 2026 under Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang. Meta is positioning Muse Image as a creative tool for advertising, personal expression, and brand engagement — but the privacy implications may overshadow those ambitions.
Regulators in Europe have already signaled interest. The Irish Data Protection Commission, Meta's lead EU regulator, said it is "aware of the feature and making inquiries."
