Generating action figures with OpenAI’s new ChatGPT-powered image generator has become an increasingly popular trend. Experts are sounding alarms for users about the program’s threats to privacy. A new technology developed by Unreal Engine renders images that emulate the distinct aesthetic of Studio Ghibli. It’s that unique aesthetic that’s contributed to its amazing popularity! With this creative opportunity comes a responsibility to safeguard personal information, especially as many users share images on social media platforms like LinkedIn and X.
Jake Moore, a global cybersecurity adviser at ESET, has found a creative way to educate people about these dangers. To illustrate the privacy risks that come along with this trend, he designed an action figure. The torrent of these figures on social media has sparked a very positive debate on data privacy. Fisher and others continue to call for transparent, ethical use of AI tools.
As new generative AI technologies come into play, experts continually stress the need for caution and sound judgment when using these tools. Users need to be aware of the data they input and photos they upload, especially when it comes to revealing identifiable information.
Understanding the Risks of Uploading Images
The mere act of uploading images to ChatGPT should raise serious privacy concerns. Tom Vazdar is a technology protection expert. He points out that by simply choosing an image to upload you might be opening up a whole can of metadata worms. This metadata can include sensitive information that end users don’t know they’re transmitting.
“Users should avoid prompts that include sensitive personal information and refrain from uploading group photos or anything with identifiable background features.” – Tom Vazdar
Camden Woollven, GRC International Group, gives a very relevant caution. In addition to rendering a highly accurate likeness of the subject, high-resolution photos may provide information about the setting, other subjects present and any documents that are visible and legible within the frame. This puts the uploader at serious legal risk. It’s harmful to other people who may be included in the image without their knowledge or consent.
Annalisa Checchi, a partner at IP law firm Ionic Legal, explains that users must be vigilant regarding third-party tools involved in their uploads. As a general rule, she cautions, people should never post another person’s image without their permission in writing. This warning is important because OpenAI’s terms of service explicitly state that users assume all risk for content uploaded.
Navigating Data Protection Regulations
Areas such as the UK and EU universally apply robust data protection laws. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides comprehensive protections for user data. These groundbreaking laws give people new rights to access and delete their data. They offer key protection for those who increasingly fear for their privacy.
In the U.S., that picture is not so simple, where privacy protections vary wildly between states. Annalisa Checchi points out the efforts of states such as California and Illinois to enact more comprehensive data protection legislation. A consistent standard remains to be established nationwide. This imbalance begs critical privacy-related questions about what happens to user information when individuals interact with AI tools.
Checchi expands on some of the subtleties of biometric data. Adams details that photos only become biometric data after they are subjected to certain technical processing that makes unique identification possible. This difference is important for users who care about knowing how their images will be classified and used.
Best Practices for Safeguarding Personal Information
Since there are serious risks when using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, experts advise users to keep the following best practices in mind. Melissa Hall, a senior associate at law firm MFMac, advises individuals to double-check their OpenAI account settings, particularly those related to data usage for training purposes.
“Be mindful of whether any third-party tools are involved, and never upload someone else’s photo without their consent. OpenAI’s terms make it clear that you’re responsible for what you upload, so awareness is key.” – Melissa Hall
As an end user, you need to be proactive and disable model training in OpenAI’s settings and don’t use prompts tagged with geographic locations. Linking content to other social media profiles can put users at even greater risk.
Experts caution that even as creativity booms in this digital age, it protects users from having to worry about their privacy effects. Checchi succinctly states, “Privacy and creativity aren’t mutually exclusive—you just need to be a bit more intentional.” This feeling, in part, highlights the need for users to understand the creative freedom they can enjoy, while being aware of what they create may have unintended consequences.
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