Meta has discontinued a new Instagram feature that allowed users to generate photorealistic AI images of other people by tagging their public accounts. The move follows widespread criticism over the creation of nonconsensual deepfakes.
Meta announced the change in an update to its blog post on Friday. The company stated, "We've heard the feedback that this feature missed the mark, so it's no longer available."
The tool was introduced last week as part of Meta's AI image model rollout on Instagram. It enabled users to tag accounts and include those individuals in generated images, with an automatic opt-in setting.
SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union, responded positively to the removal. It said in a statement: "With the dangers of nonconsensual digital replicas well known to all, a feature that encouraged that behavior is unwise. We appreciate its discontinuance. It is the responsible thing to do."
The decision leaves other AI image tools available on the platform.
