Think That AI Caricature Was Harmless? Think Again, Say Experts
AI caricature trend sparks privacy questions as experts warns of data incentives
A new artificial intelligence trend has swept across social media, with users asking chatbots to create caricatures of themselves based on previously shared information.
It looked like harmless fun.
After seeing countless people post AI-generated caricatures of themselves online, I decided to try the prompt circulating across social media:
“Create a caricature of me and my job based on everything you know about me.”
The response was immediate. The chatbot explained it could “absolutely” create the caricature – but first, it needed one key thing: a clear photograph.
“I can absolutely do this, but I need one key thing first,” came the reply.
“Because it’s a caricature of you, I need a photo of you to work from so it actually resembles you, rather than a generic stand-in.
Please upload: 1–2 clear photos of you (front-facing is ideal; natural light helps).”
That was the moment I paused.
Until then, the trend had felt light-hearted. But being asked to upload a facial image – knowing that faces are used for identification, verification and increasingly sophisticated AI systems – raised questions I had not initially considered.
What surprised me more was how few people seemed to be asking them.
A closer look at the privacy implications reveals that while the cartoon portraits may be playful, the data exchange behind them is far more complex.
While many participants describe it as harmless fun, artificial intelligence experts say the act of uploading facial images to AI platforms raises important questions about biometric data and digital privacy.
“Your Face Is Sensitive Biometric Data”
Dr Raffaele Ciriello, an artificial intelligence expert from the University of Sydney, said facial images constitute sensitive biometric data.
“Well, the problem is that your face is sensitive biometric data, right? It’s often used in verification, identification and can be used for surveillance,” Dr Ciriello said in a recent televised interview.
He explained that when users upload photographs to an AI platform, the image may potentially become part of a dataset.
“So if you go and upload a picture of your face yourself into an AI platform, it becomes potentially part of that data set, and can then be reused and repurposed for other things,” he said.
Experts have also warned that facial imagery can be used in the creation of so-called “deepfakes” – synthetic images or videos generated by artificial intelligence that convincingly replicate a person’s likeness.
When asked whether the purpose of such features could involve harvesting private information, Dr Ciriello said there is a commercial incentive for companies to collect identifiable data.
“I think there’s definitely that incentive for the company to harvest as much private and identifiable data as possible by giving away your facial features. They have a lot of information about your ethnicity, your gender. A lot of other things that can be inferred that is valuable for them,” he said.
Can Data Be Removed?
Dr Ciriello said users in Australia may theoretically seek removal of their data under existing privacy laws.
“You could theoretically go in there and say, well, in Australia we have data privacy laws. We say these must be stored under certain conditions, and I want that to be removed,” he said.
“Whether or not OpenAI conforms with that is a different matter, because they’re not based in Australia, they’re based overseas, as are many other of these providers. So you may or may not be lucky to actually do something about it, but you would have to put in the work.”
He concluded with a broader warning:
“As always, be careful what you put out there.”
Raffaele Ciriello, AI Expert, University of Sydney
Legal and Regulatory Context
Under Australia’s Privacy Act, biometric information used for identification is classified as sensitive information and subject to stricter protections. Globally, frameworks such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation also treat biometric data as a special category requiring enhanced safeguards.
At the same time, many technology companies outline in their privacy policies how user-submitted content may be processed to improve services. Data handling practices vary between providers.
The rapid rise of generative AI has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny worldwide. The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act, approved in 2024, introduced a risk-based regulatory framework addressing certain uses of biometric identification technologies.
Divided Public Reaction
Reaction to the warning has been mixed.
Some social media users argue that people have been uploading photographs of themselves to digital platforms for decades and question whether the risks are materially different. Others contend that generative AI systems operate at a scale and level of analysis that goes beyond traditional social media posting.
Environmental concerns have also been raised in parallel debates. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption by global data centres has risen significantly in recent years, partly driven by artificial intelligence expansion.
A Wider Digital Conversation
The caricature trend may appear light-hearted, but it has become part of a broader conversation about data ownership, consent and the long-term value of biometric information.
As AI tools become more accessible and integrated into everyday online behaviour, experts say digital literacy – understanding what is being exchanged for convenience or entertainment – remains essential.
Read also European Parliament Backs Non-Binding Resolution Recognising Trans Women in EU Gender Equality Priorities
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AI caricature trend, AI cartoon trend, AI facial data, AI privacy concerns, artificial intelligence regulation, Australia Privacy Act, Biometric data, breaking, data harvesting, data protection laws, deepfake risks, digital privacy, Dr Raffaele Ciriello, facial recognition, Generative AI, Greece news, Greek news, greek news now, greek news on demand, greek news today, University of Sydney
Natalie Martin
Editor in Chief
Natalie Martin is editor and journalist at Greek City Times, specialising in writing feature articles and exclusive interviews with Greek personalities and celebrities. Natalie focuses on bringing authentic stories to life and crafting compelling narratives. Her talent for storytelling and compassionate approach to journalism ensure that every article connects with readers around the world.
