Meta is developing a web-based tool to identify images and videos generated with its Muse Image model. The tool can detect invisible watermarks known as Content Seal, which remain intact when images are cropped, resized, or screenshotted, according to a blog post from the company.
The Content Seal watermarking system is proprietary, a shift from Meta’s previous open-source versions of the technology. Unlike earlier models that used visible watermarks, the current models do not display logos, Meta stated. The detection capabilities focus exclusively on images created or edited using Muse Image, though the company plans to extend the watermarking system to AI-generated and edited videos in the future.
Testing of the detection tool showed it could successfully identify watermarks in both edited images and those created entirely by AI. A positive detection result indicates the image was processed using Meta AI or meta.ai, according to Meta. Conversely, a negative result suggests it is unlikely that the image was created with Meta’s tools.
Despite these detection capabilities, the feature is not yet integrated into the Meta AI app itself. An inquiry made to Meta’s app-based assistant revealed it lacks the ability to confirm the generation source of an image, stating, “I can’t tell you definitively if this specific image was made with Meta AI just by looking at it.” The assistant noted that the app does not automatically watermark images.
Meta has faced scrutiny over its AI content labeling practices. The Oversight Board raised concerns about inconsistencies in implementing digital watermarks on AI-generated content. The Content Seal system is incompatible with other established watermarking methods like SynthID or C2PA Content Credentials.
Further limitations of the detection tool emerged during testing, which could not identify images created with older versions of Meta’s AI. Users also experienced rate limits, receiving notifications after reaching their daily maximum for identification checks.
Meta is also developing a separate video generation model named Muse Video, which is expected to launch soon. Currently, the detection feature remains inaccessible via the Meta AI app.
