A new AI photo trend is taking over social media — people are uploading a selfie and getting back a stylized version of themselves in a painting, cartoon, or action-figure style. It looks cool, and it's tempting to try.
Here's the catch: many of the apps running these trends are small or unknown. When you upload your face, you often agree — buried in the fine print — to let the company store or even sell your photo.
Your face is unique biometric data. Once it's out there, you can't take it back.
A safer approach: use a well-known tool like Adobe or a built-in phone feature, or try the trend with a photo of an object or pet instead of your face. If you do use an app, look for a clear privacy policy that says your photos won't be kept or shared.
Learn more about protecting your personal data online with our guide on how to spot AI-generated photos.