The latest viral trend on social media is AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style portraits. With the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools, people can turn their selfies into dreamy, anime-style artwork inspired by the famous Japanese animation studio.
This trend has taken the internet by storm, with millions of users participating, especially in India. Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter are filled with these magical AI-created images, and even Bollywood celebrities are joining in on the fun!
However, behind this fun and creative trend, there are hidden risks that many people don’t realize. Privacy concerns, copyright issues, and ethical questions come into play.
By uploading a personal photo to an AI platform, users might unknowingly give up control over their data, leading to potential long-term consequences.
Even more concerning, using photos of others—whether celebrities, friends, or strangers—can lead to serious legal issues. In India, where data privacy laws are still developing and copyright rules are strict, users need to be extra careful.
How India and the World Are Loving the Ghibli Trend
AI-generated artwork has become a big hit in India, a country that has always loved animation, especially Japanese anime. The Ghibli-style filter has taken social media by storm, with people eagerly sharing their AI-transformed images. While AI-driven creativity has always been fascinating, this trend has reached a whole new level of engagement.
Reports suggest that since this feature launched, ChatGPT’s weekly active users have crossed 150 million globally, with India being one of the biggest contributors.
However, while this trend is exciting, the massive number of uploaded images raises serious privacy concerns. Many users don’t realize that by uploading their photos to AI tools, they may unknowingly be giving the platform permission to store, analyze, and even reuse their images.
What Happens to Your Uploaded Photos?
Once you upload an image, it enters the platform’s database, and you lose control over how it is stored, processed, or used.
In India, data protection falls under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which includes rules against unauthorized use of personal data. However, since India doesn’t yet have dedicated AI regulations, the protection around user-generated content is unclear.
Legal experts warn that AI companies often have broad terms and conditions that allow them to keep and even reuse uploaded images to train their AI models. This means that even if you delete the image from your device, a copy may remain on the AI’s servers.
In some cases, these images could be used to improve AI technology, but they might also be used in ways you didn’t intend.
The Legal Risks of Uploading Someone Else’s Photo
Apart from privacy concerns, the Ghibli trend brings up another important issue—what happens if you upload a photo that isn’t yours? Whether it’s a friend, a celebrity, or a public figure, using someone else’s image without their permission can lead to legal trouble.
In India, copyright law under the Copyright Act of 1957 protects individuals’ rights over their images.
Additionally, laws under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act protect against identity theft and unauthorized use of personal data. For example, uploading a celebrity’s photo without their consent—especially if used for commercial purposes—can result in copyright claims or even defamation lawsuits.
So, before uploading someone else’s image, it’s important to think twice about the legal risks involved.
How to Use AI Image Generators Safely
To avoid these risks, follow these best practices when using AI art tools:
✔ Read the Terms & Conditions: Before uploading photos, check how the AI platform will use your data.
✔ Don’t Upload Someone Else’s Photo: Without permission, using another person’s image—especially for public sharing—could lead to legal trouble.
✔ Use Copyright-Free Images: If you want to experiment, choose images available under Creative Commons licenses or from royalty-free databases.
✔ Understand Data Retention Policies: AI platforms often keep user data even after deletion, so be mindful of how long your images might stay on their servers.
By staying informed and cautious, you can enjoy AI trends without risking privacy or legal issues.
A Trend That Comes with Risks
The Ghibli trend has brought a fun and creative twist to social media, but it also highlights some serious concerns about AI-generated content.
Before uploading pictures to ChatGPT or other AI tools, users—especially in India—should be aware of the risks. A few moments of online fun shouldn’t come at the cost of privacy issues, legal trouble, or violating someone else’s rights.
Think twice before joining the trend—stay safe, stay informed!
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