New Delhi | The Central Government has said it will examine Meta’s newly launched AI image generation feature, Muse Image, under the existing legal framework following growing concerns over user privacy, data protection, and the potential misuse of publicly available images. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said complaints and representations received regarding the feature will be reviewed to determine whether it complies with applicable Indian laws.
The controversy emerged after Meta introduced Muse Image, describing it as one of its most advanced AI image generation models. However, the feature has drawn criticism over allegations that it can generate AI images using photographs from public Instagram accounts, raising concerns about user consent, image scraping, and digital privacy.
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According to reports, the tool can generate AI images by using a person’s Instagram username and publicly available photographs. Critics argue that because the feature is reportedly enabled by default for public accounts, users may be unaware that their publicly shared images could be used for AI-generated content unless they manually change their privacy settings.
Privacy and cybersecurity experts have warned that the technology could increase the risk of identity theft, impersonation, fake promotional content, online harassment, and AI-generated deepfakes. They also caution that as AI-generated images become increasingly realistic, distinguishing authentic photographs from fabricated ones may become significantly more difficult.
Responding to the concerns, Meta said users have the option to disable the feature by turning off the Reuse setting on Instagram, preventing their public images from being used for AI image generation. The company also announced Content Seal, an invisible watermark designed to identify AI-generated images even after cropping, resizing, or taking screenshots. Meta has said it is also developing a detection tool to help identify such AI-generated content.
The government has stated that it will review all complaints and technical submissions before determining whether the feature complies with existing legal and privacy requirements. If any violations of applicable laws or user privacy protections are identified, appropriate action may be considered.
The development has intensified the broader debate over responsible AI deployment, user consent, data protection, and safeguards against the misuse of generative artificial intelligence. No regulatory action has been announced so far, and the government’s review remains ongoing.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
