The ’80s Trend May Not Be So Innocent: Warning from the GDPR !

The rapidly spreading #80sChallenge trend on social media has also caught the attention of the Personal Data Protection Authority (GDPR). The Authority warned that biometric data may be processed through users’ photos.

In recent days, a trend on Instagram has encouraged users to transform their photos with artificial intelligence into nostalgic images resembling photographs from the 1980s. The trend has also drawn the attention of the GDPR, which highlighted the importance of protecting biometric data.

In social media trends such as #80sChallenge, users upload their photos to various AI applications to recreate them in an 1980s style. However, this process does not simply produce a nostalgic image; it may also give these applications access to various types of personal data contained in the photos.

Stay Away from Unknown Applications and Tools

Before participating in such trends, check whether the application you are using is trustworthy. Avoid mobile applications and websites that appear to have been created solely to take advantage of a particular viral trend.

Third-party AI applications that transform photos into nostalgic images may do more than simple image processing. These applications may analyze facial features, proportions, and expressions, potentially processing biometric data.

It is often unclear where sensitive facial data collected by free services is stored, whether it is shared with third parties, or whether it is used for AI model training.

We recommend avoiding uploading your photos to unfamiliar websites and mobile applications. Although no service can be considered 100% secure, it is generally preferable to use well-established AI services such as Gemini and ChatGPT rather than unknown applications.

The KVKK Shared the Following Statement:

“Before transforming your photos into nostalgic images using artificial intelligence applications, consider your digital privacy as well. Applications used in social media trends such as #80sChallenge may process your biometric data through your photos.

Therefore, before sharing your photos:

• Check what data the applications can access.

• Find out for what purposes your data may be used.

Let the memories live on, but keep what belongs to you, with you.”

Some Measures That Can Be Taken to Protect Against Such Risks:

• Photos should not be uploaded to unknown applications or websites.

• Check what data the application can access.

• Review how your photos will be used and stored.

• Consider whether biometric data may be shared with third parties.

• Avoid granting unnecessary camera, gallery, and file permissions.

• Avoid applications with unclear privacy policies.

• Prioritize digital privacy when sharing personal or sensitive photos.

  
  

For detailed information, you can contact our experts at info@zerosecond.ae.