How can I prevent Meta from using my Instagram* photos for AI training?

Go to your Instagram* account settings and manually disable the option allowing content use for AI training. This feature is enabled by default for public profiles.

Which photos are affected by Meta’s new policy?

Only photos from public Instagram* accounts are included. Private profiles remain unaffected unless the owner manually adjusts settings.

Why did Meta implement this feature without notifying users?

The company has not commented on specifics, but such changes are often justified by the need to expand AI training datasets. Users can opt out, though the process is not intuitive.

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Artificial intelligence

Meta* Allows Use of Instagram* Photos in AI Generation Without Consent

July 7, 2026

Photo: Wired

Quick answer

Meta now permits the use of public Instagram* photos for training its Muse Image AI model without explicit user consent.

Meta* has announced the launch of its new AI model, Muse Image, which will use public Instagram* photos for training and image generation. By default, all users with open accounts automatically consent to data processing unless they disable this option in their settings.

The change applies only to open profiles but has raised concerns among data protection experts. Critics highlight that Meta* did not notify users about the update, and the opt-out process is unclear. The company claims the update aims to improve AI tool quality but has not disclosed details about copyright protection mechanisms.

For users who do not want their photos used in AI generation, Meta* offers a manual setting to disable this feature. However, many may be unaware of this option, raising questions about the voluntariness of consent. Experts recommend regularly reviewing privacy settings on social media to control the use of personal content.

* Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Meta services belong to Meta Platforms Inc., whose activities are recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation.

Common questions

How can I prevent Meta from using my Instagram* photos for AI training?: Go to your Instagram* account settings and manually disable the option allowing content use for AI training. This feature is enabled by default for public profiles.
Which photos are affected by Meta’s new policy?: Only photos from public Instagram* accounts are included. Private profiles remain unaffected unless the owner manually adjusts settings.
Why did Meta implement this feature without notifying users?: The company has not commented on specifics, but such changes are often justified by the need to expand AI training datasets. Users can opt out, though the process is not intuitive.

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