Meta's new Muse AI: cute helper or privacy concern?

What is Muse?

Meta has introduced Muse, an artificial intelligence assistant — think of it as a digital helper that can do tasks for you online. Unlike a search engine that just finds information, Muse can actually take action: it can send emails on your behalf, make purchases, and help you manage your accounts. The catch? You need to give it access to your passwords, payment information, and personal data.

Why people are excited (and worried)

Muse is genuinely useful. It can complete real tasks quickly, which is why Meta is betting big on it as part of their push to compete in the AI race. The company is rolling out Muse across multiple devices — from smartphones to smart glasses to a new standalone gadget called Muse Charm, which works like a Tamagotchi (a handheld toy from the 90s, but powered by AI).

But there's a problem: trust. Since Meta launched Muse, security researchers have already found serious issues. In one incident, Muse accidentally sent a user's home address to a stranger. Other reports show that Muse has been blocked by Amazon, that it had an exploit (a weakness that let hackers control it), and that it can accidentally access the wrong accounts or reveal sensitive information. For a tool that handles your money and personal details, these aren't minor glitches.

The bigger picture

Muse represents a real shift in how AI works. Instead of just answering questions, these AI agents — tools designed to act independently on your behalf — are becoming part of everyday life. That's powerful and useful. But it also means we're handing over more control and data to big tech companies. Before you let Muse run your shopping or manage your accounts, it's worth asking: do you trust Meta with that responsibility?