TORONTO: Cyber security experts are sounding the alarm over the viral AI caricature trend sweeping social media, highlighting significant hidden dangers. While creating personalized avatars and humorous sketches using AI chatbots may seem like harmless fun, Claudiu Popa, CEO of DataRisk Canada, warns that these tools pose a severe threat to personal privacy.
Popa explains that these trends are often sophisticated tactics designed to harvest user data with their own consent. To generate “accurate” or high-quality images, these chatbots frequently prompt users for sensitive information, including email addresses, personal photo galleries, and even social media access. This data is then often packaged and sold to third-party data brokers or used for aggressive targeted advertising.
The risks extend beyond mere privacy. Popa pointed out that granting AI tools access to manage or “analyze” banking and financial information could lead to untraceable fraud. In many such cases, users may find themselves without bank protection because they voluntarily shared their credentials with a third-party application.
Beyond digital security, the expert also raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of the trend. The massive data centers required to process AI requests consume vast amounts of electricity and water—resources that are often diverted from local communities. Experts are calling for increased digital literacy for both children and adults to ensure they understand the long-term consequences of participating in “viral” digital fads.
