MEP Sandro Gozi (Renew) has raised concerns about Meta's new generative AI tool, Muse Image, which reportedly uses public content from Instagram and Facebook to generate or modify images unless users explicitly opt out. In a parliamentary question dated 13 July 2026, Gozi argues that a public profile cannot be equated with explicit consent for AI-generated content, citing potential breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Digital Services Act, and Article 50 of the AI Act on transparency obligations for deepfakes.
The question asks the European Commission whether an opt-out mechanism is sufficient under EU law for using identifiable individuals' images in AI content, and whether the Commission will request Meta to clarify if Muse Image is or will be available in the EU and what safeguards exist for consent, transparency, and withdrawal. Gozi also seeks action to prevent platforms from reusing public content for deepfakes without a proper legal basis or explicit consent.
The Commission typically has six weeks to respond, and its answer will signal its stance on the adequacy of opt-out models versus explicit consent under EU digital and data protection rules. The issue impacts EU users' privacy rights, Meta's business model, and the broader regulatory framework for generative AI. Gozi's question reflects a push for stronger enforcement of GDPR and AI Act provisions, potentially setting a precedent for how platforms handle public data for AI training. Stakeholders affected include EU citizens (privacy), Meta (compliance costs), and EU regulators (enforcement).