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Muse's Dark Secret 🤫: AI Danger Exposed!

September 24, 2026 | Author

AI

🎧 Audio Summaries
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🧠Quick Intel


  • Meta’s Muse AI agent achieved 600,000 daily active users in the US within weeks of release, according to Apptopia.
  • Instinct AI platform is currently valued at a $2.5 billion valuation as it actively seeks fundraising.
  • Meta purchased hundreds of Mac Minis in January, initially after utilizing OpenClaw, to support the development of Muse.
  • OpenClaw’s skill repository had 15% containing malicious instructions, highlighting a significant security flaw.
  • Nat Friedman stated Muse was “built from scratch,” while acknowledging heavy inspiration from OpenClaw’s product design.
  • Muse defaults to using user data for model training, though users have the option to opt-out.
  • Meta plans to implement cryptographic data access prevention within the Muse Secure VM later this year.
  • A researcher identified a zero-day vulnerability within Muse, potentially allowing agent hijacking.

    • đź“ťSummary


    Meta’s new AI agent, Muse, rapidly gained traction, reaching 600,000 daily active users in the US shortly after its App Store release. Simultaneously, the Instinct AI agent platform, backed by a $2.5 billion valuation, was attracting industry attention. Allegations surfaced that Muse was built upon OpenClaw, citing similar file names and documentation, with one Redditor claiming Muse was a wrapper app. Meta’s product head, Nat Friedman, confirmed OpenClaw’s influence, stating his team purchased Mac Minis in January, influenced by Steinberger’s work. Concerns arose regarding OpenClaw’s security vulnerabilities, including malware within its skill repository. Meta now emphasizes Muse’s focus on privacy and security, utilizing a Secure VM and planned cryptographic access controls. The ongoing evolution of AI agents, spurred by Meta, Instinct, and Google’s ventures, highlights a critical juncture in addressing security challenges within the technology landscape.

    đź’ˇInsights

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    CHAPTER 1: THE RISE OF AI AGENTS – A Landscape of Innovation
    The burgeoning field of AI agents is witnessing a significant renaissance, fueled by rapid advancements and increasing consumer interest. Meta’s Muse, topping App Store charts with 600,000 daily active users in the US (Apptopia estimate), and Instinct, a platform valued at $2.5 billion, demonstrate this growing momentum within the tech industry. These developments signify a shift in how users interact with AI, moving beyond specialized applications toward more conversational and accessible interfaces.

    CHAPTER 2: OPENCLAW – THE FOUNDATION OF A NEW ERA
    The similarities between Meta’s Muse and Instinct with the platform OpenClaw have sparked considerable debate. Social media users have alleged that Muse is directly built upon OpenClaw, leading to concerns about potential security vulnerabilities. The two platforms share identical file names (SOUL.md, memory, tools, etc.) and utilize similar lines of code governing personality, tone, and other key aspects of the AI agent's behavior. One Redditor specifically argued that Muse is simply a wrapper app built on top of OpenClaw, potentially inheriting its security risks.

    CHAPTER 3: META’S RESPONSE – Acknowledging Inspiration and Prioritizing Safety
    Meta has refuted these claims, with Nat Friedman, head of Meta’s Superintelligence Lab, stating that Muse was “built from scratch.” However, Friedman acknowledged significant inspiration from OpenClaw, particularly his team's initial purchase of hundreds of Mac Minis after using OpenClaw in January. He aimed to create a platform mirroring OpenClaw's functionality, prioritizing safety, security, ease of use, and scalability for billions of users. The team’s belief in Steinberger’s expertise regarding OpenClaw’s core elements – specifically the file names and lines of code – is a key factor in this approach.

    CHAPTER 4: SECURITY CONCERNS AND THE CHALLENGES OF AI AGENTS
    OpenClaw’s legacy is deeply intertwined with significant security vulnerabilities. A top-downloaded skill contained malware, and a researcher’s analysis revealed that 15% of OpenClaw’s skill repository contained “malicious instructions” designed to access user data or perform suspicious tasks. Meta’s Muse attempts to address this through a Secure VM, isolating user data and preventing Meta’s direct access. However, concerns remain, as Meta retains the ability to access data, and a recent zero-day vulnerability allows unauthorized control of the agent.

    CHAPTER 5: EXPANDING ACCESS AND THE FUTURE OF AI AGENTS
    The focus on broader accessibility is a central theme in the development of AI agents, exemplified by Muse’s one-tap downloading and Instinct’s integration with Apple’s messaging system. While concerns about data privacy and security persist, the ability to use these agents on local devices—offering potential security benefits—is attracting a wider user base. The open-source AI agent, as described by one advocate, represents a “grassroots crusade,” offering an alternative to industry control. Ultimately, the success of these agents hinges on their ability to improve upon existing security shortcomings and continue to expand their reach within the evolving AI landscape.

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