Instagram forces users to opt out of AI training by default

Meta is inverting consent for its Muse Image tool—public accounts are automatically enrolled in AI training unless they actively disable it, shifting the burden of protection onto individual users rather than requiring explicit permission. This pattern, where opt-out becomes the standard for generative AI systems, is becoming the industry default because it maximizes training data while distributing regulatory risk across millions of users rather than concentrating it on the platform. The move reflects Meta's confidence that individual opt-outs won't meaningfully limit the model's reach and the practical reality that opting out now requires hunting through privacy settings rather than simply withholding consent upfront.