At present, social media platforms, especially Facebook, have been flooded with AI-generated images. Many users, inspired by others, are creating and sharing trending AI images. However, experts warn that getting caught up in these trends might put your privacy and personal data at risk.
One of the popular AI tools right now is Google’s Gemini, which uses a feature called Nano Banana to create stunning 3D models from 2D photos.
Google’s Generative AI Nano Banana is the latest AI trend to take over everyone after ChatGPT’s Studio Ghibli trend.
The Nano Banana trend on its own has also been extremely viral, with a Medium report revealing that over 500 million images had been created or edited on the app by mid-September. New users also witnessed a surge with the Gemini AI chatbot app gaining 23 million new users between August 26 and September 9.
The ‘Nano Banana’ images also have an invisible digital watermark called SynthID on them, along with metadata tags, to help identify them as AI-generated images and reduce the risk of misuse.
According to aistudio.google.com, “All images created or edited with Gemini 2.5 Flash Image include an invisible SynthID digital watermark to clearly identify them as AI-generated. Build with confidence and provide transparency for your users.”
Experts are raising alarms about uploading personal images to AI systems. When you upload a photo to these AI platforms, it does not just disappear after use. In fact, your images may remain stored in the AI's system. This can lead to potential misuse, such as creating deepfake videos or altering your image in ways you didn’t intend. Such altered images can harm your reputation, especially for women, and could even be used for harmful purposes.
For example, a woman recently uploaded her photo to an AI platform for a fun transformation, only to find out later that her image was used in inappropriate deepfake content. This highlights how easily your personal photos can be misused once they’re in the hands of AI systems.
Information technology expert Tanvir Zoha, regarding AI-generated images, said that if you provide your photo or a body scan to an unknown app or website, someone could use it to create a digital copy of you, fabricate fake identities, spread false stories, or even produce obscene content.
“Your data is your asset, so keep it secure,” he added.
Moreover, the worry is that these AI systems do not clearly disclose where your data is being stored or how it is being used. This lack of transparency raises concerns that your personal images could be sold or misused, and even end up on the dark web, he added further.
Experts recommend staying cautious and protecting your privacy to avoid potential risks.
