In the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, the latest viral trend sweeping across social media is the AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style portraits. Powered by ChatGPT and other AI platforms, users can transform their selfies into dreamlike, anime-inspired art similar to the famed Japanese animation studio.

The trend has captured the imaginations of millions worldwide, with a significant spike in participation from India. From Instagram to Twitter, feeds are now flooded with these enchanting AI-generated images, with even Bollywood celebrities joining the craze.

However, beneath the surface of this seemingly harmless trend lies a web of privacy risks, copyright issues, and ethical dilemmas that many users remain unaware of.

The simple act of uploading a personal photo to an AI service may have far-reaching consequences, including a loss of control over one's data.

Worse still, using photos of others, whether celebrities, friends, or even strangers, can lead to serious legal trouble. In India, where data privacy laws are still evolving, and copyright infringement is taken seriously, users must tread cautiously.

How India and the World Have Embraced the Ghibli Trend

AI-generated artwork has found a receptive audience in India, a country with a deep appreciation for animation, particularly Japanese anime. The Ghibli-style filter has exploded in popularity, with Indian social media users enthusiastically sharing their AI-transformed images. AI-driven creativity has always been a source of fascination, but this trend has taken engagement to a new level.

Reports indicate that since the feature's release, ChatGPT’s weekly active users have surged past 150 million globally, with India ranking among the top contributors.

While the trend is undoubtedly exciting, the sheer volume of uploaded images raises concerns over data privacy. Many users may not realize that by submitting their photos to AI tools, they are granting permission, often unknowingly, for the platform to store, analyze, and even potentially reuse these images.

Privacy Implications: Where Do Your Uploaded Photos Go?

Once a user uploads an image, it enters the platform's database, and the control over how that image is stored, processed, and used is transferred to the AI provider.

In India, data protection is governed under the Information Technology Act, 2000, which contains provisions against unauthorized use of personal data. However, with no dedicated, comprehensive AI regulations in place, the safeguards around user-generated content remain ambiguous.

Legal experts warn that AI companies often have broad terms of service that allow them to retain and even repurpose user-uploaded images for training datasets. This means that even if a user deletes their image from their personal device, a copy may still exist on the AI’s servers. 

In some cases, the images could be used to refine AI models, potentially exposing them to unintended applications in the future.

The Legal Risks of Uploading Someone Else’s Photos

Beyond personal data concerns, the Ghibli trend poses another critical issue—what happens when someone uploads another person’s photo? Whether it’s an image of a friend, a celebrity, or even a public figure, using someone else's likeness without permission can result in legal consequences.

Indian copyright law, under the Copyright Act of 1957, protects the rights of creators and individuals over their images.

Additionally, sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act provide legal recourse against identity theft and unauthorized use of personal data. For instance, uploading a picture of a celebrity without their consent, especially if used for commercial purposes, could invite copyright claims or even defamation lawsuits.

The Danger of Using Random Internet Photos

The risks do not stop at personal photos. Many users download images of strangers, anime characters, or famous personalities from the internet and feed them into AI generators to create their own unique Ghibli-style transformations. This practice, however, is fraught with legal pitfalls.

Images found online are often copyrighted, and using them without permission can lead to copyright infringement claims.

Websites such as Getty Images, Shutterstock, or even individual photographers have strict policies against unauthorized use of their content. In 2023, several artists took legal action against AI companies for scraping their works without consent, arguing that AI-generated transformations amounted to digital theft.

Guidelines for Safe AI Image Generation

To navigate these concerns, here are some best practices for those participating in AI art trends:

Read the Terms & Conditions: Before uploading any personal images, ensure that you understand how your data will be used.

Avoid Uploading Others' Photos: Without explicit permission, using another person's image—especially for public sharing—could lead to legal action.

Use Copyright-Free Images: If you wish to experiment, opt for images available under Creative Commons licenses or royalty-free databases.

Be Aware of Data Retention Policies: AI companies often retain user data even after deletion, so be mindful of long-term privacy implications.

A Fun Trend with Serious Consequences

While the Ghibli trend has undeniably added a creative twist to social media, it serves as a stark reminder of the ethical and legal dilemmas surrounding AI-generated content.

Users, particularly in India, should think twice before uploading images to ChatGPT and similar AI platforms. A few moments of digital fun should not come at the cost of privacy, legal troubles, or the violation of someone else’s rights.