The Ghibli art generator by OpenAI has taken social media by storm, allowing users to transform their photos into stunning artwork inspired by Studio Ghibli’s iconic animation style. While the trend has captivated millions worldwide, it has also sparked serious concerns about data privacy, AI ethics, and copyright violations. Behind the fun and creativity lies a darker reality—users may be unknowingly compromising their personal data and exposing themselves to risks.
Launched on March 26, 2025, OpenAI's Ghibli-style image generator quickly became a global sensation. Social media platforms are flooded with “Ghiblified” portraits, memes, and even celebrity endorsements. Influencers and casual users alike have embraced the trend, with celebrities such as Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra sharing their Ghibli-style images. However, this viral success has raised alarms among privacy advocates and artists alike.
When users upload their photos to OpenAI’s Ghibli art generator, they are voluntarily sharing unique facial data with the platform. Unlike web-scraped images that require legal justification under regulations like GDPR, these user-submitted photos bypass such restrictions through implied consent. Here’s how your data might be used:
AI Training: OpenAI retains the original uploaded images to train its AI models, potentially improving facial recognition algorithms or generating new datasets for commercial use.
Privacy Risks: Critics warn that these images could be repurposed for unintended purposes, such as creating fake profiles or targeted advertisements.
Data Breaches: In the event of a security breach, sensitive user data—including facial features—could be exposed to hackers.
Under GDPR regulations, OpenAI must justify scraping images from the internet under “legitimate interest.” However, when users voluntarily upload their photos, they provide direct consent (Article 6.1.a), giving OpenAI greater flexibility in processing this data. Privacy advocates warn that users often overlook these implications while engaging with viral trends.
While OpenAI has yet to address these concerns directly, privacy activists urge users to exercise caution before uploading personal photos to any AI tool. Here’s why:
Unlike filters on platforms like TikTok or Snapchat, OpenAI retains the original uploaded images for training purposes.
The excitement around creating fun avatars often leads users to trade privacy for entertainment without fully understanding the implications.
The Ghibli art generator may seem like harmless fun, but it carries significant risks related to privacy, data misuse, and ethical concerns over AI-generated content. As users continue to embrace this viral trend, it’s crucial to remain informed about the hidden costs of sharing personal data online.
