CHENNAI: The Cyber Crime Wing of the Headquarters in Chennai issued a public alert on Wednesday, cautioning citizens against the growing misuse of Ghibli AI Art.
The alert follows a surge in cybercrimes linked to the use of these AI-generated anime-style images, where users unknowingly compromise their personal data, making themselves vulnerable to data theft, deep fakes, and other online frauds.
According to officials, Ghibli AI Art Generators entice users to upload selfies or personal photographs, which the artificial intelligence then converts into stylised animations mimicking the well-known Ghibli aesthetic.
While the results may appear harmless or entertaining, cyber experts warn that the underlying risk lies in how these systems collect, store, and analyse users’ biometric data — often without explicit consent.
The Cyber Crime Wing emphasised that once uploaded, users have limited or no control over the deletion of their data. This lack of transparency raises serious concerns, especially as the AI continues to learn and evolve using the images and facial expressions fed to it. “People underestimate the scale of risk,” an official said, “especially when their data could be used in synthetic media or deepfake content.”
Additionally, the press note highlighted the widespread circulation of Ghibli-style artwork through unofficial websites and digital platforms. Many of these sites, while offering free downloads or customisation, act as fronts for cybercriminal activities. Users who access content from such sources risk infecting their devices with malware, ransomware, or viruses — all of which could lead to identity theft or data loss.
In another worrying trend, scammers have begun exploiting the popularity of Ghibli visuals to launch phishing attacks. Fraudsters use fake contests, free download links, or giveaway schemes as bait to trick users into revealing personal or financial information. Such scams already led to cases of financial fraud and unauthorised access to user accounts.
With the rising number of incidents, authorities urged the public to remain cautious and refrain from uploading personal images on unverified platforms. They also advised users to steer clear of suspicious download links and to ensure their devices are protected with up-to-date security software.
The Cyber Crime Wing continues to monitor the situation and is working on awareness campaigns to educate users about the evolving tactics used by online offenders.