These Are the Risks of Creating Studio Ghibli-Style Images

In a world where the magic of Studio Ghibli seems just a click away, artificial intelligence tools promise to transform selfies into anime characters with glowing eyes and dreamlike landscapes. Platforms like Images for ChatGPT by OpenAI have unleashed a digital frenzy: millions share their portraits hoping to look like protagonists from Spirited Away. But behind this pastel-colored mirage lie risks and an urgent warning from cybersecurity experts: every photo uploaded is a fragment of identity that could end up in the wrong hands.

Between Innocence and Danger

The phenomenon echoes familiar stories: FaceApp and Voilá AI Artist, apps that years ago turned selfies into art but also exposed millions to data leaks. Today, with more sophisticated AI, the risks are even subtler—and more dangerous. According to Kaspersky, sharing personal images on these platforms is like giving away pieces of a biometric puzzle: facial features, expressions, even unique patterns that cybercriminals can assemble to forge identities, bypass facial recognition systems, or create detailed profiles for fraudulent purposes.

María Isabel Manjarrez, a Kaspersky researcher, puts it bluntly:

“This data remains stored on third-party servers, which are juicy targets for hackers. An innocent photo today could be the key tomorrow to accessing your bank account.”

Mexico: A Mirror of Progress… and Complacency

The data reveals encouraging but insufficient progress. In 2019, 54% of Mexicans admitted to not reading privacy policies or questioning how their data was used. By 2025, that percentage dropped to 23%, reflecting greater digital awareness. However, nearly a quarter of users still upload photos without asking: Who stores this?, What will it be used for?, How is it protected?.

The lesson is clear: Privacy education is advancing, but the temptation to join viral trends—like becoming an anime character—clouds judgment. “It’s not about demonizing technology, but using it with a critical eye,” insists Manjarrez.

The Risks of Becoming a Studio Ghibli Character

Imagine this: A photo of you transformed into a character from Castle in the Sky travels through unknown servers. A cybercriminal extracts your facial features, cross-references them with leaked social media data, and creates a profile so detailed it can impersonate you in video calls, unlock devices with facial recognition, or apply for loans in your name. The technology that makes you look like an anime hero could turn you into a real-world villain’s victim.

How to Participate Without Giving Away Your Identity

Kaspersky shares 5 tips to avoid falling victim to potential identity theft:

1. Read as if your privacy depends on it—because it does. Privacy policies are not dead text: Check who stores your photos, whether they’re used to train algorithms, or shared with third parties.
2. Less is more. Upload generic images: a landscape, your pet, an object. If the platform requires a face, use an old or blurred photo.
3. Be a permission detective. Why does a photo-editing app need access to your location or contacts? If the requirements seem excessive, uninstall it.
4. Protect your devices like a castle. Updated security software is your wall against malware that could steal data while using these tools.
5. Assume nothing is ephemeral. What you upload online, even for seconds, can be recorded. Think twice before clicking “convert.”

Becoming an anime character is tempting, but not at the cost of becoming exploitable data. AI is a magical mirror, but like in fairy tales, its charm may come with a dark price. The next time a digital trend invites you to share your image, remember: in the connected world, your face isn’t just art—it’s valuable information. Protecting it isn’t paranoia; it’s the first act of your own cybersecurity story.

Final advice? Enjoy the magic of AI, but keep the wand of caution always in hand. After all, even in the Ghibli universe, the best heroes know when to shut the door on dangerous spirits.

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