It's not possible to block Meta's AI bot on Threads. I'm not sure what we did to warrant this.
Meta has launched its new AI chatbot on Threads this week, but it has a significant drawback that users did not consent to.
The @meta.ai account, as reported by Engadget, functions similarly to Grok on X. Users can tag it in discussions, and it joins in with information about current trends, live sports, entertainment, or breaking news.
At present, this bot is only available in early beta form for users in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, and Singapore. Its public account, @meta.ai, is visible to all users on the platform, but the issue is that it cannot be blocked.
Threads users are expressing their dissatisfaction with Meta AI for several reasons.
Many feel frustrated because the three-dot menu next to @meta.ai’s profile lacks a block option, which is available for all other accounts on the platform.
Some users attempted to report the account as spam, hoping it would prompt a block option, but instead found it either missing or malfunctioning. The phrase “Users cannot block Meta AI” has become one of the most discussed topics on Threads, with over a million posts seeking clarification.
What has Meta said in response to the criticism?
Meta spokesperson Christine Pai stated to TheVerge that users have the ability to mute the bot, hide its responses, or select "Not interested."
However, these alternatives do not equate to blocking. They may help lessen visibility of the bot afterward, but they do not completely prevent it from appearing in conversations.
This backlash ties into a broader discourse occurring across social media at the moment. Companies are integrating AI into various facets of user feeds, and users are resisting this trend.
Meta has been introducing AI functionalities across Facebook and Instagram, and Threads is just the most recent addition to this initiative.
For Meta, this approach aims to maintain user engagement on its platform and enhance Threads' competitiveness against X. The issue arises from the fact that many users prefer AI to be an option rather than an imposition.
Meta claims it will continue to gather feedback during the beta phase before expanding further. Whether this feedback will lead to any changes remains uncertain.
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Meta is experimenting with an AI bot reminiscent of AskGrok on X, yet it is already sparking controversy.
If you have ever observed someone on X tagging Grok under a viral post with the question “is this real???” – you’re about to experience something similar on Threads.
Meta is testing a new functionality that provides its AI chatbot with a specific Threads account, @meta.ai, which users can tag directly in their posts and replies. The bot will then respond publicly with additional context, suggestions, or information related to the discussion.
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Instagram has introduced Instants, a feature for disappearing photos that clearly imitates Snapchat and BeReal while ensuring authenticity.
Instagram has a history of adopting ideas from others, and its latest rollout makes this trend even more evident. The platform has globally launched Instants, allowing users to share disappearing, unedited photos with Close Friends or mutual followers.
The standalone Instants app is now accessible on both iOS and Android, automatically opening to the camera upon logging in with an Instagram account.
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Meta is implementing parental oversight on teen algorithms after tightening rules on how young users communicate.
Instagram’s initiative to safeguard teens is delving deeper into the feed aspect. Meta's new supervision tools will provide parents with insights into the broad topics influencing a teen’s Instagram algorithm, including signals affecting Reels and Explore, with Feed support set to be added later. This is necessary as Instagram's safety efforts have evolved beyond just monitoring who teens can message, now encompassing the recommendation system that determines what content appears for them.
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It's not possible to block Meta's AI bot on Threads. I'm not sure what we did to warrant this.
Threads users are angry after finding out that Meta's new AI chatbot cannot be blocked like other accounts on the platform.
