Instagram users with public accounts may want to take a closer look at their settings.
Meta has introduced Muse Image, a new AI image-generation model that is being added across Meta AI, Instagram and WhatsApp. As part of the rollout, reports say public Instagram content can be used to generate AI images when a user tags an account in a prompt.
That content may include public posts, reels and profile pictures.
The issue is not simply that Meta is launching another AI tool. It is that public Instagram accounts are reportedly opted in by default. Unless users change the setting manually, their publicly available photos may be used in AI-generated images.
For many users, this is likely to feel like another quiet shift in how personal content is handled online.
A photo shared for friends, followers or customers could now become part of an AI-generated image without the account owner receiving a notification.
Reports also say switching the setting off only stops future use and does not remove AI images that may already have been created.
For creators, parents and public-facing accounts, the concern is obvious. Instagram photos are not just casual uploads for everyone. They can include family moments, children’s images, brand work, personal milestones and professional identity.
What’s Next
To turn it off, users need to open Instagram and go to their profile. Tap the menu icon (3 line at the right side of your profile), then go to Settings and activity. From there, look for Sharing and reuse and switch off the option that allows others to use your content for AI-generated images.
The wording may vary depending on the country, app version and whether the feature has reached the account. If the setting is not visible yet, users can update the app and check again later.
Another option is to make the account private. This can be done under Settings and activity, then Account privacy, before turning on Private account. For personal users, this may offer more control. For creators, businesses and public pages, however, going private may not be practical.
Parents may also want to review what they post publicly. Clear photos of children, school uniforms, location tags and family routines can reveal more than intended, especially as AI tools become more closely connected to social platforms.
This does not mean every public Instagram photo will automatically be turned into an AI image. But it does mean users should know what they have agreed to, especially when the setting appears to rely on opting out rather than opting in.
The safest move is simple: check your Instagram settings now, especially if your account is public.
Disclaimer: This article is for public interest purposes only. Information is based on publicly available reports at the time of publication.
