Meta Blocks New AI Image Editing Feature After Privacy Backlash

Meta has announced it is blocking an AI-based feature recently launched on the company’s social media platform. The closure follows sharp criticism of the feature over privacy concerns.

Named Muse Image, the feature can edit images generated from sketches using photo input. It is the first product from Meta Superintelligence Labs to be integrated with Meta AI.

After its release last week, many people criticised it, as the feature relied on automatic consent from users.

Among the critics was the actors and media professionals union, SAG-AFTRA, which urged its members and Instagram users to reject the feature.

“Anything other than clear and prominent consent for the use of Instagram users’ images is unacceptable, and a miscalculation of public sentiment about the dangers and harms of its use,” SAG-AFTRA said.

Meta quickly decided to remove the feature. The social media giant said the decision was based on feedback indicating the feature did not meet expectations.

“Our aim is to provide creative tools that are useful and that give people control over whether their public content can be referenced in this way,” Meta said, quoted by Reuters on Monday (13 July 2026).

“We have heard feedback that this feature did not meet expectations, so it is no longer available,” Meta added.

SAG-AFTRA welcomed Meta’s decision, calling it a responsible move.

The union emphasised the dangers of digitally replicating people without consent, saying the existence of a feature built on that concept was an unwise action.

“Given that the dangers of digital replicas without consent are widely known, a feature that encourages such action is an unwise move,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said.