Meta has pulled the plug on a feature of a recently launched AI tool following criticism that it made Instagram accounts fodder for use in creating AI-generated images.
The move on Friday came less than a week after the parent of Instagram and Facebook rolled out Muse Image, its first image-generation model available through the company’s artificial intelligence assistant, Meta AI.
“Our intent was to provide a useful creative tool and to give people control over whether their public content could be referenced in this way,” Meta said in a statement. “We’ve heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it’s no longer available.”
Like other AI apps with image-generating capabilities, Muse Image creates images based on users’ suggestions. But its also automatically made photos posted on all public Instagram accounts usable by the AI tool as a reference when creating new images.
That led to a flurry of social media posts flagging privacy concerns and instructing Instagram users how to opt out of having their accounts accessed by Muse Image.
Hollywood also was quick to raise concerns about the image-generation feature.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists urged its members to change the settings on their Instagram account to protect their likeness.
In a statement on X, SAG-AFTRA applauded Meta’s decision to shut off the feature.
“With the dangers of nonconsensual digital replicas well known to all, a feature that encouraged that behavior is unwise,” the union said. “We appreciate its discontinuance. It is the right thing to do.”
FILE - A Meta logo is shown on a video screen at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Jos Buttler and Harry Brook led the way with swashbuckling batting displays as England went top of the T20 rankings after beating India by 56 runs on Saturday to take the five-match series 4-0.
Buttler hammered 131 in 64 balls and captain Brook made 95 not out in 45 deliveries to propel England to 257-3, its third highest T20 total and highest against India.
“We've managed to get ourselves to No. 1 in the world, which was the aim after the second game,” player of the series Brook said after his side restricted India to 201-8 in reply.
It rained sixes at the Utilita Bowl as he and Buttler shared a memorable second-wicket stand of 233, England's highest for any wicket in a T20.
India, which opted to rest 15-year-old batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after the teenage sensation failed to make an impact in the three previous games, was made to pay for deciding to bowl first after winning the toss.
Buttler made a welcome return to form by smashing 8 sixes and 12 fours as he charged to his second T20 international century. Brook continued his excellent series, which began with the opening match being abandoned due to bad weather, by clubbing 8 sixes and 4 fours.
Shivam Dube took two late wickets, including Buttler's, but his solitary over cost 22 runs.
“It’s been a little bit of a lean patch for a while,” Buttler said. “It was a great day for me personally and a great day for the team. I am really happy to get back to my best and contribute to a brilliant series win.”
The 35-year-old Buttler's innings was the second highest by an Englishman in a T20 international, behind Phil Salt's 141 not out against South Africa in Manchester last September.
India, displaced by England at the top of the rankings, had a mountain to climb to reach its target and made a poor start when opener Abhishek Sharma was removed for 3.
Ishan Kishan struck a 35-ball 56 while Tilak Varma raced to 53 in 25 deliveries but India was always behind the run-rate. All-rounder Sam Curran took 3-36 and leg-spinner Adil Rashid picked up 2-24.
“There’s a lot to take from this series," India captain Shreyas Iyer said. "The conditions, the awareness, the adaptations to the wicket.
“Of all the grounds we played on, this was probably the best. The approach to our batting was different today.”
The two teams begin a three-match series of one-day internationals in Birmingham on Tuesday.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
England's Jos Butler plays a shot during the international T20 Cricket match between England and India In Southampton, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
England's Jos Butler, right is congratulated by teammate Harry Brook after hitting a six during the international T20 Cricket match between England and India In Southampton, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
England's Harry Brook, left, and Jos Buttler during the international T20 Cricket match between England and India in Southampton, England, Saturday, July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
England's Jos Buttler plays a shot during the T20 international cricket match between England and India in Southampton, England, Saturday July 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Anthony Upton)
