Experts warn of privacy risks behind viral studio Ghibli AI photo trend

The latest internet sensation, transforming personal photos into Studio Ghibli-style artwork using AI has gone viral with influencers and even politicians joining the fun. Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, these tools allow users to recreate their images  in the whimsical style of the beloved Japanese animation studio. However, cybersecurity experts are warning users about the serious privacy risks hidden behind the appealing visuals.

Also Read: AI-Generated Ghibli portraits spark privacy concerns amid viral trend

Despite platforms often claiming they don’t store images or delete them after use, experts say these assurances are vague. There’s uncertainty around how long images are actually kept and whether metadata like location, timestamps, and device details are truly erased. 

Experts highlight that this metadata can expose personal information and warn about model inversion attacks where original photos could be reconstructed from stylized versions. 

AI tools like these use Neural Style Transfer (NST) to blend personal images with artistic references. While entertaining, this technology can be misused. Uploaded images may be stored and later used to train surveillance AI or for targeted advertising. They  warn that even if companies don’t intend to misuse the data, fragments might still remain in their systems. 

Experts caution that the fun experience of using these filters often distracts users from understanding the risks. They  warn that casual data sharing has become normalized, making people less aware of how their data could be collected in the background and possibly used for malicious purposes. 

One major concern is the rise of deepfakes and identity theft. They say granting AI platforms access to personal photo libraries opens the door to serious consequences like fraud. Experts emphasize that even companies with strong security systems are not immune to data leaks or cyberattacks, with stolen images sometimes ending up on the dark web.  

Another issue lies in the unclear and complex terms of service users agree to. Many platforms bury crucial details in hard-to-read language, leading to uninformed consent. They stress the importance of clarity, saying users deserve to know how their images will be used and whether they’re truly deleted. 

Governments are beginning to respond to these concerns with some introducing regulations for clearer data policies, while others are still in discussion. Experts urge platforms to adopt more transparent, user-friendly disclosures to help users make better choices about their data. 

To protect themselves, users are advised to practice good digital hygiene. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication and removing metadata from photos before uploading them. Experts advocate for stricter standards like differential privacy and regular audits. 

Though the technology is impressive and the results are fun, experts stress the need to remain vigilant. Being informed is the best defense when it comes to protecting your privacy in the digital age.