Our obsession with staying relevant online is at an all-time high, and it is costing us more than we know. From Ghibli-style pictures to pictures of custom action-figure dolls, the latest AI photo trends are pulling millions into the hype. Case in point: when ChatGPT dropped its new image generation feature, over 1 million people signed up in just one hour.
What's Driving Our Obsession?
FOMO.
The fear of missing out is pushing us to upload personal photos, of ourselves and others, all in the name of staying on trend, chasing relevance, and feeding the algorithm in hopes of it blessing us with likes, shares, and viral exposure.
Behind the viral buzz lies a serious trade-off: your data. These fleeting moments of fun and relevance come with lasting consequences, from data misuse to identity vulnerabilities, in ways most users never consider.
Ubuntu Guard unpacks the risks of your trade-offs, so you know exactly what you're signing up for when you upload your picture on AI platforms.
Data for Sale: A Party for Third Parties
Your data is always collected when you are using AI platforms like ChatGPT, from automatically collected information like device information and usage patterns to personal details you voluntarily provide, such as your name, location, or photos. This data can be shared with third parties and used for targeted marketing or monetisation, even if you're using a paid subscription. It's a data-filled party platter for third parties to use however they want, often without your explicit consent.
Data to Train: How to Train the AI-Dragon
All collected data can also be used to train future AI models. Even if you're on a paid plan, data collection isn't off the table. When you're using a free AI platform, the trade-off becomes even more obvious: you're not paying with money, you're paying with your data. That data is incredibly valuable for improving existing models or building entirely new ones. Once it's in the system, training can continue indefinitely, meaning you could lose ownership of your content, including that selfie you just uploaded. Your data becomes AI-dragon food, fuelling fires you won't be able to put out.
Data for Crime: A Minefield for Online Criminals
If an AI platform lacks proper encryption, the photos you upload become easy targets for cybercriminals. Your data is at risk of being scraped, leaked, and exploited, opening the door to deepfakes, identity theft, scams, fraud, and impersonation. Biometric data extracted from your face can be used to track you across apps, serve targeted ads, or even fuel political agendas. In worst-case scenarios, your image could end up on adult websites. If it's a child's photo, the consequences are even more dangerous.
Smart Tips to Reduce Exposure
Get Your Data Naked
Use tools like ExifTool to remove hidden data, such as location, device details, and timestamps, from your pictures before uploading. Also, avoid sharing sensitive information voluntarily, including personal details or photos of others.
Do It the Old-Fashioned Way
For editing sensitive photos, stick to offline tools like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. Be cautious with "free" AI services, if you're not paying with money, you're paying with your data.
Read and Don't Heed to the T&Cs
Opt out of data collection for AI training when possible, and review your settings to ensure your data is deleted and not retained or reused without your consent. Watch out for red-flag phrases in terms and conditions:
- "transferable rights"
- "non-exclusive"
- "royalty-free"
- "sublicensable rights"
- "irrevocable license"
Convert FOMO to JOMO
We all experience FOMO from time to time, and that's perfectly normal. However, it's important to shift your perspective and recognise that the joy of missing out (JOMO) can actually mean protecting yourself and your personal information.
In the race to stay relevant online, we're unknowingly trading our personal data for viral moments. AI trends like Ghibli-style images and customised dolls may seem fun, but they come with serious risks. Protecting your data, reading terms carefully, and embracing JOMO are key to staying safe in the digital age.
Remember, the true trend is safeguarding your privacy while enjoying the internet responsibly.
Explore more cybersecurity tools and tips at Ubuntu Guard: UbuntuGuard Resources