The concern is that users cannot easily delete data sent. In the case of uploading images, the Cybercrime Division of the State Police does not have a guarantee to request deletion. | Photo Credit: AFP
Police in Tamil Nadu have warned people about the potential risks associated with generating “Ghibli AI Art” by uploading selfies and images.
In the release, the state police’s cybercrime division said that recently, the public has seen a surprising increase in the use of Ghibli AI art. Ghibli AI Art Generator used selfies or images uploaded by people to create an animated version based on the functionality of the user’s face.
However, users often ignored or underestimated the potential dangers involved in this. AI systems analyze and store faces, representations and backgrounds. “These uploads are used to train AI without clear consent from users. Continuous uploads (of images or selfies) expand the system’s knowledge base…” the release states.
A concern was that users were unable to easily delete the data they sent. There was no guarantee that images were required to be deleted when uploading them. Police said that misuse and distribution of Ghibli artwork across digital platforms puts users at risk of becoming victims of cybercrime, especially when acquired on informal or suspicious channels.
The potential risk of uploading photos to suspicious links leads to issues such as data leaks and data leaks sold to unknown advertising companies and data. Many websites offering free downloads of Ghibli artwork have been the forefront of malicious cyber activity. Users who download content from these sources can unconsciously infect their devices with harmful software, such as viruses, malware, or ransomware, leading to potential loss of data and identity theft.
“Criminals may use popular Ghibli characters and art as bait for phishing scams. These fraudulent campaigns often include fake contests, giveaways, or free download links for Ghibli Art. Clicking on these links can lead to theft of personal and financial information and even financial losses…”
Published – April 9, 2025 07:30 PM IST
