Meta’s Muse AI Assistant Wants Your Friends’ Data, Raising Privacy Questions

Meta announced Muse, a new AI personal assistant that goes beyond personal data and taps into your contacts. It is designed to streamline tasks but requires access to friends’ information.

Muse asks users to grant permission to pull data from their contact lists, including messages, photos, and social media activity. The assistant can then suggest responses or actions based on that data, even if the contacts haven't opted in.

This move highlights a broader trend of consumer devices that harvest data from people who may not be aware they're being observed. Privacy advocates warn that such practices blur consent lines and could create new vectors for misuse.

While Meta says the data will be processed locally, regulators are watching closely. The launch may prompt tighter rules on data sharing and could force companies to rethink how they gather and use third‑party information.