Muse Image: What the New Instagram AI Does and How to Protect Your Photos

Muse Image was launched on July 7, 2026 and is built into Meta AI, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The model can edit photos precisely and create images from text and multiple references. It is being used to power more than 30 new AI effects for Instagram Stories.

By default, public Instagram accounts were left open to being used as references for image generation, and users must change a setting to stop this. In the app, go to your profile, open the menu, then Sharing and reuse, and toggle off the option for Posts and Reels. Turning the option off will prevent new AI images from using future posts, while images already created may remain.

Creators and talent agencies have raised concerns about consent and copyright, and some have asked for clearer opt-in controls. Although the tool was designed for creativity and advertising workflows, many people have been worried by the way public content can be reused without notice. Therefore, users who care about likeness and privacy should check their settings and consider a private account if they want stronger protection. Furthermore, businesses may use Muse Image for ads and creative tests.