Meta removes AI feature on Instagram after user backlash

Meta has discontinued a controversial AI feature on Instagram that enabled users to modify public photos. The company announced Friday that it has removed the feature, which had only been available for a short period.

The feature was part of a broader rollout of AI tools. It allowed users to generate new images by referencing public Instagram accounts. The tool faced immediate backlash due to its failure to notify account holders when their images were used as a basis for new creations.

The company admitted that the feature did not meet its intended purpose. "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 stated in a blog post. "We've heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it's no longer available."

The integration of AI into social media platforms has raised concerns about potential misuse. Platforms have attempted to mitigate these trends, but previous safeguards have often proven insufficient.