Maharashtra Cyber Cell Warns Against Ghibli-Style AI Art Apps Over Data Privacy Risks

Mumbai: With Ghibli-style art gaining rapid popularity across Mumbai and the rest of the country, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has issued a critical cybersecurity advisory, warning users about the potential misuse of personal data by foreign companies through such AI-based platforms.

According to the advisory, Ghibli art especially Reverse Ghibli Style Art can pose serious risks to user privacy. These AI generators, while visually appealing, may exploit user-submitted images to create realistic renderings and, in some cases, reconstruct original photographs with alarming accuracy.

The advisory warns that by using these platforms, users may unknowingly grant access to device files and sensitive personal information. Maharashtra Cyber has urged people to avoid such applications, particularly those that request permissions to access device storage or upload reference images.

ADG Yashasvi Yadav stated, “Today, a person’s face is not just a face — it is biometric data. Once captured, it can be stored, processed, shared, and potentially misused in ways that compromise your privacy, identity, and security.”

The advisory outlines multiple threats:

Data Collection: AI art platforms may build large-scale databases of publicly submitted images, which can be used for model training or other purposes beyond user consent.

Reconstruction Risks: Some AI generators, when prompted, can reverse-engineer highly accurate versions of original photos using minimal references, raising serious privacy and consent concerns.

Device Access: These platforms often request access to device files during image uploads, potentially exposing users to further risks.

The Cyber Cell recommends:

Avoid uploading personal photographs to unverified or unofficial AI art platforms.

Refrain from granting app permissions without fully understanding the app’s intent.

Review all permission requests carefully before proceeding.

Do not share images or content that may contain private or sensitive information.

The advisory also references earlier incidents where facial data breaches, identity theft, and unauthorized surveillance occurred due to similar platforms leaking biometric data. The department urges the public to exercise extreme caution while engaging with trending digital tools and to report any suspicious platforms or activities to the authorities.

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