TechnologyJuly 9, 2026

Control Your Instagram Photos and Meta’s Muse Image

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

blend/blɛnd/

To mix two or more images or ideas together.

"The app can blend two photos into one."

@-mention/æt-ˈmɛn.ʃən/

To tag another user by their username starting with @.

"You can @-mention a friend in a comment."

opt out/ɒpt aʊt/

To choose not to be part of something.

"I opted out of the email list."

provision/prəˈvɪʒ.ən/

A rule or arrangement in a service or policy.

"Check the app’s provision for sharing photos."

Listening

Control Your Instagram Photos and Meta’s Muse Image

Meta has introduced Muse Image, an image-generation model now available in the Meta AI app and on meta.ai. The model can blend public Instagram photos into new images when users @-mention an account. Muse Image powers Instagram Story effects and is rolling out to WhatsApp and Facebook. While Meta frames Muse Image as a creative tool, the rollout has raised privacy concerns because public accounts are opted in by default and you will not be notified when your content is used.

You can opt out without making your account private. Open Instagram, tap your profile, tap the three-line menu, go to Sharing and reuse, and toggle off Posts and Reels under 'Allow people to use your content on Instagram and with AI features on Meta'. Private Instagram profiles are not included in Muse Image, so changing the toggle is only needed for public profiles. If you prefer, you can make your account private, but the toggle provides a way to remain public while blocking AI reuse. Although the toggle is available for many accounts, it may not appear for everyone immediately. Since AI creations made earlier are not deleted automatically, turning the setting off will not remove prior AI images that used your content.

204 words

Quiz

1. Where is Muse Image available?

2. What action can include a public Instagram account in an AI creation?

3. How are public accounts set by default for reuse?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you worry about apps using your photos for AI? Why or why not?

What would make you feel safer when a platform adds AI features?

Have you ever looked for a buried setting in an app? What was it?

Would you tell friends to check their Sharing and reuse settings?