New AI Cartoon Trend Raises Privacy Concerns: How to Safeguard Your Information
A new trend is gaining traction on social media platforms, utilizing artificial intelligence to convert personal photos into humorous caricatures. However, experts caution that this seemingly lighthearted activity poses serious risks to privacy and cybersecurity.
Experts indicate that these applications do more than merely alter facial features; they analyze images with remarkable accuracy to extract details regarding age, facial expressions, clothing, and even aspects of the user's lifestyle and social status.
The technology employs computer vision models, deep learning techniques, and multimodal frameworks that connect images with textual data and user behavior.
Dr. Mohamed Mohsen Ramadan, head of the Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Studies, issued a warning:
"While the trend may seem entertaining, it conceals significant technical and security risks. Images are not deleted immediately after processing; they may be temporarily stored or utilized to train AI models, or even shared with third parties under ambiguous terms."
* Risks of Identity Theft and Biometric Data Exposure
Dr. Ramadan emphasized that the biometric data extracted from these images can facilitate deepfakes and identity theft, contributing to a vast database that enhances facial recognition technology, which may persist even after an account or application is deleted.
Linking images to digital profiles heightens the risk of exposing personal identity and online behavior.
Lieutenant General Abu Bakr Abdel Karim, former Assistant Minister of Interior in Egypt, corroborated this view:
"Privacy is increasingly at risk, and any digital database can be susceptible to hacking. The issue lies not in artificial intelligence itself, but in its irresponsible application."
* Additional Risks:
• High-resolution images amplify the potential for data misuse.
• Images may be exploited for fraud, blackmail, or forgery.
• Predictive classifications regarding jobs and lifestyles can be inaccurate or biased, often generated without user consent.
* Expert Recommendations:
_ Thoroughly review privacy policies prior to using any application.
_ Refrain from linking applications to primary social media accounts.
_ Limit uploads to low-resolution images, and weigh the temporary amusement against potential significant risks.
Ultimately, a fleeting moment of laughter could cost you more than just time—it may jeopardize your privacy and biometric data!
