Meta Removes AI-Generated Accounts on Facebook and Instagram After User Backlash

Meta faced backlash after users discovered several AI-generated accounts on its platform, leading to concerns over the bots’ misleading behavior and poor-quality content. The issue began when Connor Hayes, Meta’s vice president for generative AI, revealed that the company planned to introduce AI users that would resemble real human profiles, complete with bios, photos, and content creation capabilities.

The announcement quickly raised concerns. Many users feared that these AI accounts would undermine social media’s core purpose—fostering genuine human connections. As AI profiles appeared, users began noticing issues such as low-quality images and odd, sometimes misleading interactions with the bots.

One of the most controversial accounts was “Liv,” which described itself as a “Proud Black queer momma of 2 & truth-teller.” While the bot’s bio appeared authentic, it caused outrage when Liv revealed that its creators were mostly white, claiming “10 white men, 1 white woman, and 1 Asian male” had built it. This disclosure sparked outrage and questions over the transparency and ethical implications of the AI's identity.

The situation worsened as users found more problems with these AI profiles. Liv’s posts featured poorly generated images, such as photos of its supposed “children” at the beach and decorated Christmas cookies, all marked with a watermark indicating they were AI-generated. These issues added fuel to the fire, with many questioning Meta’s decision to present these accounts as real users.

As scrutiny grew, Meta began removing these AI accounts, including Liv, citing a “bug” in the system. The accounts had been active for months, with some posts dating back over a year, raising questions about the company’s oversight and handling of AI-generated content.