Instagram adds AI Pixel effect to blur people in Stories

Meta launched new AI effects in Instagram Stories that pixelate people in photos based on a text prompt. The tool is pitched for "soft launches" of relationships, letting users hide a partner's face while showing someone is there.

• Pixel effect is selected in Stories and blur level is set by prompt
• Instagram's example made a man "extremely pixelated"
• Some users criticized the feature; a dating expert advised against it