Is The Ghibli AI Art Trend A Privacy Risk? What You Need To Know

 

Is The Ghibli AI Art Trend A Privacy Risk? What You Need To KnowProvide by Deepak kumar blogs

We all know that for the past few days, the internet has been buzzing and the buzz is all about Ghibli-style AI art. Ever since OpenAI launched its image generator on ChatGPT, everyone who is on the internet from celebrities to politicians and the common folk, has been a part of this buzz by sharing these AI-generated images in the iconic style of Ghibli legend Hayao Miyazaki. The newest version allows users to transform their photos—or even viral internet memes—into stunning Ghibli-style artwork.

But is it safe to share your personal images with the AI? Digital privacy activists on social media platform X (Twitter) have raised a similar concern. They have claimed that OpenAI may be using this trend as a means to collect personal images for AI training. While it's all fun and games for the common user, critics are of the opinion that they could just be handing over sensitive information unknowingly to OpenAI, which raises a serious question of privacy.

The rise of this trend has sparked debates over the ethics of AI tools that learn from copyrighted artwork, raising questions about their impact on human artists’ careers. At 84, Miyazaki—famed for his whimsical storytelling and dedication to hand-drawn animation—has voiced his scepticism about AI’s place in the world of animation.

The activists however have pressed that this issue goes beyond AI copyright, in fact, they claim that it has allowed the company to gather images that are voluntarily submitted, Circumventing legal limitations imposed on web-scraped data.

Under GDPR, OpenAI must justify scraping images from the internet under “legitimate interest,” meaning they need extra safeguards to ensure compliance and protect user privacy. This requires proving that data collection is necessary, does not infringe on individual rights, and adheres to strict transparency and accountability rules.

Luiza Jarovsky, co-founder of the AI, Tech & Privacy Academy, weighed in on the issue in a detailed X post. She explained that when users voluntarily upload images, they are essentially giving OpenAI permission to process them under GDPR’s Article 6.1.a. “This is a different legal ground that gives more freedom to OpenAI, and the legitimate interest balancing test no longer applies,” she wrote.

“Moreover, OpenAI's privacy policy explicitly states that the company collects personal data input by users to train its AI models when users haven't opted out,” she wrote.

Luiza Jarovsky also noted that OpenAI is obtaining free and unrestricted access to personal or private images, with only OpenAI retaining the original files. Meanwhile, social media platforms and other AI companies will only have access to the "Ghiblified" versions.

Himachal Cyber Warriors, a group that identified itself as a team of cybersecurity experts, stated: “Moreover, the trend is ongoing, and people are learning that when they want a fun avatar of themselves, they can simply upload their pictures to ChatGPT. They no longer need third-party providers for that,” she said.

 

What Has OpenAI Said?

There is no official statement from the company as of now, and is yet to issue a statement, and has yet to release a statement regarding the security of personal data for users engaging with the Ghibli-style AI image art feature. We entered a prompt asking if it's safe to upload personal pictures in the Ghibli art generator and we got this reply: "The safety of uploading personal photos to the Ghibli-style AI image generator depends on the platform's data policies and security measures. If the tool is operated by OpenAI or another AI company, it's essential to check their privacy policies regarding data storage, sharing, and deletion.

Potential risks include:

Data Retention: The platform may store uploaded images for future training or analysis.

Privacy Concerns: AI-generated versions of your image might be publicly accessible or used beyond your control.

Security Risks: If the tool lacks proper safeguards, there could be a risk of data leaks or unauthorized access.

To stay safe, avoid uploading sensitive or private images and review the platform’s terms of service to understand how your data will be handled."

AI image trends can be fun, but they come with hidden risks. Before you dive in, here’s how to stay safe:

Be mindful of what you upload. AI tools can store and use your images in ways you may not anticipate.

Skip high-quality photo uploads. The clearer the image, the easier it is for AI to exploit it.

Stick to traditional security methods. Instead of facial recognition, opt for a strong PIN or password.

Manage your camera access. Regularly check and restrict app permissions to prevent unnecessary data collection.

Taking a few precautions now can help you stay in control of your digital identity.

No house, no bills: Meet the Indian family who sold everything to live on a floating home

 

No house, no bills: Meet the Indian family who sold everything to live on a floating home

An Indian family has embraced an unconventional lifestyle, leaving behind corporate jobs and a traditional home to live full-time on a sailboat. Capt. Gaurav Gautam (Retd.), a former Indian Navy officer, along with his wife, Vaidehi Chitnavis, a former media professional, and their teenage daughter, Kaeya, set sail in 2022 on their 42-foot vessel, Reeva, which is now their floating home.

Through their Instagram account, The Reeva Project, the family shares snippets of their daily life, highlighting both the joys and challenges of living at sea. A post on their account stated, “We quit our jobs to live full-time on a sailboat. We sold off nearly everything we owned to make this dream come true. This is our home sailing vessel Reeva.”

The transition to a life on water was not an easy one. The couple sold nearly all their possessions, reducing their belongings from 6,000 kg to just 120 kg. “There was no point in holding on to things we couldn't keep on the boat,” they wrote in another post. Vaidehi, in particular, struggled with parting from a cherished heirloom—a Czechoslovakian crockery set passed down through generations. However, she knew it wouldn’t last in their new home and gifted it to a close friend instead.

A Dream Delayed, But Not Forgotten

Though Gaurav had long envisioned a life at sea, the idea had to be put on hold due to logistical and financial constraints. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, reignited his dream, as falling boat prices globally made owning a sailboat a more feasible option.

After acquiring Reeva, a 1988-built Tayana Vancouver 42 sailboat, the family faced initial apprehensions about their decision. “When we made the decision to leave our landlubber life behind and embrace an entirely different lifestyle, we were stepping into the unknown,” they reflected in a post. “Now, as we sail into 2025, we carry with us two incredible years of living this unconventional life.”

Homeschooling on the Waves

One of the biggest adjustments was Kaeya’s education. Instead of attending a conventional school, she is homeschooled on the boat. Her curriculum is enriched with lessons beyond textbooks—she learns about marine life firsthand, navigates using wind patterns, and experiences different cultures during their travels. For her, vacations mean endless days of snorkeling, honing her sailing skills, and watching the sunset from the deck.

Facing Challenges, Embracing Freedom

Living on a sailboat has its challenges. From navigating stormy seas to adapting to a minimalist lifestyle, the family had to pave their own path. “Things have never been easy, we had to pave our own path, as there was no precedence of a liveaboard family from our part of the world. But nevertheless, it has been an amazing 20 months,” they shared.

Additionally, their access to everyday conveniences has changed drastically. Gaurav humorously admitted, “Do you ever crave having a hamburger and then remember you can’t order it on Zomato?”

Inspiring Others to Take the Leap

Despite the hardships, the family finds immense fulfillment in their journey. Their story has resonated with thousands, as evidenced by their growing social media following. With over 8,000 followers on Instagram and a presence on YouTube, they aim to inspire others who dream of an offbeat life.

Reflecting on their experiences, they wrote, “It hasn’t always been smooth sailing; there have been challenges, doubts, and tough days. But with every wave we’ve conquered, every skill we’ve learned, and every bond we’ve strengthened, we’ve become more resilient, more connected, and more alive than ever before.”

UK to become 'defence industrial superpower', finance minister says

 

UK to become 'defence industrial superpower', finance minister says

Britain's finance minister Rachel Reeves said she wanted the country to become a "defence industrial superpower" as she pumped an extra 2.2 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) into the sector in her budget update on Wednesday.

Reflecting heightened geopolitical tension and U.S. President Donald Trump's calls for Europe to do more to protect its own security, Reeves said she would focus on new technology and innovation to drive the country's defence industry.

Under new plans, 10% of the government's defence equipment budget would be spent on new technologies, she said, with a focus on drones and AI, while small companies would be given better access to defence contracts in a reform of what she called a "broken" procurement system.

The government is also setting aside 400 million pounds to be spent on UK defence innovation to bring new technology to the frontline more quickly, she said.

Reeves referenced defence throughout her speech, calling the extra cash for the sector vital in a "a more insecure world", and adding that the investment would help the wider economy.

"This additional investment is not just about increasing our national security but increasing our economic security, too. As defence spending rises, I want the whole country to feel the benefits," she said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month committed to lift defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, the biggest increase in the budget since the end of the Cold War, and said Britain will aim to spend 3% of its GDP on defence in the next parliament.

India successfully tests vertically launched short range missile with low altitude capability

 

VL-SRSAM being test-fired from the ITR off the Odisha coast on Wednesday (Photo | Special arrangement)

BHUBANESWAR: India on Wednesday successfully flight tested the vertically launched short range surface to air missile (VL-SRSAM) from a defence test facility off the Odisha coast.

Indigenously developed by DRDO, the missile was test-fired from a land-based vertical launcher positioned at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude.

Defence sources said the canisterised missile neutralised the aerial target at a very low altitude. The missile validated the near-boundary-low altitude capability of the missile system.

“The target was completely destroyed by the missile executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range, and establishing the missile’s agility, reliability and pin-point accuracy,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

The missile was test-fired by DRDO in collaboration with the Indian Navy with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration. It was a part of a user associate trial to validate multiple updated elements of the weapon system.

“The elements, including the missile with indigenous radio frequency seeker, multi-function radar and weapon control system, have performed as per expectations. The performance of the system was validated by the flight data captured by various range instruments developed by ITR Chandipur,” said a defence official.

Hindustan Aeronautics records ₹30,400 crore revenue despite LCA Mk-1A delay

 

The LCA Mk-1A programme, crucial for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to shore up its fleet, is running behind schedule due to several reasons

NEW DELHI: State-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday announced that it achieved a revenue of ₹30,400 crore in 2024-25 over ₹30,381 crore the previous year despite the shortfall in deliveries of the light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1A) and the Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH), HAL chairman and managing director DK Sunil said.

“The deliveries of LCA were affected due to non-availability of (F404-IN20) engines. The ALH delivery schedule too got hit due to the accident in January 2025 and subsequent grounding of the fleet. However, the deliveries of other products and services were accelerated which helped us maintain the top line,” an HAL statement quoted Sunil as saying.

The engine issue has been resolved, with US firm GE Aerospace last week delivering the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the new LCA Mk-1A, and assuring the Indian side that production was being ramped up to execute the order, a boost for the indigenous fighter programme.

The LCA Mk-1A programme, crucial for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to shore up its fleet, is running behind schedule due to several reasons, including the delay in supply of engines. These engines are meant for the 83 Mk-1As ordered by the IAF for ₹48,000 crore in February 2021.

GE Aerospace is expected to deliver 12 engines this year.

However, the military’s ALH fleet is still grounded after a “swashplate fracture” caused the crash of a coast guard Dhruv helicopter at Porbandar in Gujarat on January 5, and experts are examining the reason for the breakdown of the critical component. The swashplate assembly is a critical part in the ALH’s transmission system.

With the order book significantly improving during the last 12 months, HAL used the year to add capacities as additional production lines for LCA Mk-1A and Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) planes were set up, apart from augmenting the aero engine capacity at Koraput in Odisha, the company statement said.

Last week, the defence ministry signed two contracts worth ₹62,700 crore with HAL for 156 Prachand light combat helicopters (LCH) for the armed forces. Also, last September, the ministry signed a ₹26,000-crore contract with HAL for 240 aero-engines for the IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft.

The order book stood at ₹1,84,000 crore as against the opening order book of ₹94,129 crore, HAL said.

“During 2024-25, HAL received new manufacturing contracts worth ₹1,02,000 crore and ROH (repair and overhaul) contracts of ₹17,500 crore. Recently, the company signed a contract with the defence ministry for the supply of 156 Prachand LCH worth ₹62,777 crores. This is the single biggest procurement by the ministry from HAL till date,” the statement said.

With the supply chain issues stabilising, new orders in hands and enhancement of capacities, the company is gearing up for more robust performance in FY 2025-26, it added.

Anand Mahindra’s weekend getaway is a 5-hour drive from Bengaluru, with a 350-year-old mystery

 

Anand Mahindra’s weekend getaway is a 5-hour drive from Bengaluru, with a 350-year-old mystery

Business tycoon Anand Mahindra is known for having a keen eye for under-explored tourist spots in India. Taking to X on Sunday, the Mahindra Group Chairman shared a breathtakingly beautiful snapshot of a stunning rainforest nestled somewhere in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka.

Sharing the picture, the billionaire wrote, “Finding mystery in unexpected places…”. He added a nugget of information - this is the birthplace of Indian coffee. Coffee bushes were reportedly planted at this very spot in 1670 by Baba Budan, a wandering Sufi mystic who brought coffee beans from Yemen.

The snapshot showed the rainforest in all its majestic beauty and untainted greenery.

Netizens React

Responding to the post, one X user revealed that he was from this district and the best time to visit Chikkamagaluru was during the monsoon.

Another user pointed out that sometimes, such places should remain under-explored, as overexposure has its pitfalls. “Corporate companies should stay away from spoiling this beauty in the name of extraction of resources, which is nothing but exploitation,” wrote the commenter.

About Chikkamagaluru

Chikmagalur, often spelled Chikkamagaluru, is a scenic district nestled in the state of Karnataka, India. This region holds historical significance as the birthplace of coffee cultivation in the country. The majestic Chikmagalur Hills, forming part of the renowned Western Ghats, give rise to significant rivers like the Tunga and Bhadra. Situated within this district is Mullayanagiri, the loftiest peak in Karnataka, drawing trekkers and nature lovers alike.

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Chikmagalur is celebrated as a prominent travel destination, boasting attractions such as Kemmannugundi and Kudremukh, along with breathtaking waterfalls like Manikyadhara, Hebbe, and Kallathigiri. The district also has a deep-rooted cultural and architectural heritage, notably reflected in the splendid Hoysala-era temple located in Amruthapura. Wildlife aficionados are particularly drawn to Kudremukh National Park and the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, which provide sanctuary to diverse flora and fauna.

The district has historical connections to the early years of the Hoysala dynasty. According to legend, in a place once known as Sussevar, now identified as Angadi in the Mudigere taluk, the dynasty's founder, Sala, achieved a mythical feat by slaying a fabled beast. This act led to the creation of the Hoysala emblem, a motif that would symbolize the ruling lineage.

One of the most distinguished rulers of the Hoysala Empire, Veera Ballala II, who reigned between 1173 and 1220 CE, is credited with constructing the grand Amriteshwara Temple in Amruthapura, located in the present-day Tarikere Taluk. This temple remains an architectural marvel, showcasing intricate craftsmanship from the Hoysala period.

The introduction of coffee to India is deeply intertwined with the history of Chikmagalur.

The district is believed to be the first place where coffee was cultivated in the country, dating back to the year 1670. Historical accounts suggest that the revered saint Baba Budan played a crucial role in this. During his pilgrimage to Mecca, he passed through the Yemeni port of Mocha, where he encountered coffee.

Enthralled by its unique flavor, he secretly carried seven coffee beans by wrapping them around his waist to avoid detection by Arab traders, who fiercely guarded their monopoly on coffee cultivation. Upon returning to India, Baba Budan sowed these seeds in the lush hills of Chikmagalur, thus laying the foundation for the country's thriving coffee industry. Today, this region continues to be one of India’s premier coffee-growing hubs, attracting both enthusiasts and researchers fascinated by its rich legacy.

10 Things You Can Do When You Start Feeling Lonely

 

10 Things You Can Do When You Start Feeling Lonely

__START__Accept loneliness.

Loneliness

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Don't fight loneliness. Accept it. It's not a disease; it's actually a cure for broken souls. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Get busy.

Job

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We couldn’t agree more when a stoic Sherlock tells Watson, “Work is the best antidote to sorrow, my dear Watson.” Getting busy with your work is a productive way to avoid this feeling. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Run.

Running

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Go for a quick run to clear out the fog of thoughts from your mind. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Get a DSLR.

Camera

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Invest in a camera. Take up photography; you’ll be surprised at how much it can help.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Travel.

Travel

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Explore new places alone. Try out the local food and understand how your culture differs from that of the locals.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Dance.

Dance class

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We can't stress on this enough! Dance like nobody's watching. Lose your inhibitions by dancing to the tunes you love. 

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Read.

reading

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Books teach us the importance of solitude. If you’re a reader, then a good book is the only company you need.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Start a blog.

Blogging

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Start jotting down your thoughts on a blog. Write about your interests, narrate an incident or simply put pictures and quotes which inspire you. You'll be amazed at how much you discover about yourself.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Learn a new language.

Language

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Learning a new language is quite challenging. Speaking a foreign language, other than your first language will always make you feel good.

__LISTSEPARATOR____START__Love yourself.

Julia Roberts

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Always remember Oscar Wilde's beautiful quote - “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”

Watch: Rocket carrying European orbital vehicle crashes after launch

 

Watch: Rocket carrying European orbital vehicle crashes after launch

The first orbital rocket launch from mainland Europe ended in failure Sunday, when the vehicle exploded seconds after lift-off, hampering the continent's aspirations in the commercial space sector.

Footage showed the Spectrum rocket, built by German company Isar Aerospace, emitting smoke from its sides before plummeting to Earth with a fiery explosion shortly after departing Norway's Andoya Spaceport in the Arctic region.

These rockets are specifically engineered to transport payloads like satellites into or beyond Earth's orbital zone.

This attempt marked the first-ever orbital vehicle launch from European soil, excluding Russia, and and Europe's first financed almost exclusively by the private sector.

Weather conditions had caused multiple launch delays, and Isar Aerospace had maintained modest expectations. "Every second we fly is good, because we collect data and experience. Thirty seconds would already be a great success," said Daniel Metzler, the company's co-founder and chief executive, prior to the launch, as reported by AFP.

"We do not expect to reach orbit with this test. In fact, no company has yet managed to put its first orbital launch vehicle into orbit," he added.

The test flight involved a 28-metre (92-foot), two-stage rocket without any payload.

Prior to this in 2023, Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit conducted Europe's first orbital launch attempt. The mission, which involved launching a rocket from a Boeing 747 over southwest England, failed and subsequently led to the company's closure.