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Meta's new AI image generator may use your Instagram photos. Here's how to opt out
By Scott Budman at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 9, 2026
· 1 min read
Meta has unveiled a new product that lets other people use images posted publicly on Instagram to generate artificial intelligence content.
The new product, Muse Image, has sparked backlash and criticism from privacy advocates.
“It’s allowing anybody to just tag someone’s Instagram user nam...
Key takeaway “It’s allowing anybody to just tag someone’s Instagram user name and create a video using their likeness without their consent and without any sort of notification,” said Taylor Lorenz, a technology journalist and author.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
San Francisco residents who use Instagram should be aware that their publicly posted photos could be used to generate artificial intelligence content through Meta's new Muse Image product. Given the city's high concentration of tech-savvy individuals and social media enthusiasts, it's likely that many San Franciscans will be impacted by this new feature. The fact that users can opt out of having their content used on Muse Image is crucial, and locals should take steps to protect their privacy by toggling off the relevant setting in their Instagram app. This development also raises broader questions about data privacy and consent in the digital age, issues that are particularly relevant in a city like San Francisco, where the tech industry is a major driver of the economy and culture. As the use of AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, San Franciscans will need to be vigilant about protecting their online presence.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Meta has unveiled a new product that lets other people use images posted publicly on Instagram to generate artificial intelligence content.
The new product, Muse Image, has sparked backlash and criticism from privacy advocates.
“It’s allowing anybody to just tag someone’s Instagram user nam...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scott Budman at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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