Uploading Photos for AI Caricatures? Advocates Urge Caution

Think Before You Click: The Hidden Risks of AI Caricatures

MANILA — As AI-generated caricatures continue to flood social media feeds, online safety advocates are warning netizens to think twice before uploading their photos to artificial intelligence platforms.

During the celebration of Safer Internet Day at the Department of Justice (DOJ), government officials and child protection advocates cautioned the public against casually submitting personal images for AI-generated content. While the trend may seem entertaining, they stressed that uploaded photos could be misused for sexual exploitation and other harmful purposes.

Plan International Philippines Executive Director Pebbles Sanchez-Ogang warned that images shared online may later be used to create deepfakes, AI-manipulated photos, or other illegal materials.

“It’s fun, but it’s alarming, dangerous, and actually scary because you are offering your image you are offering yourself to the AI world,” Sanchez-Ogang said.

Rising Online Risks

Officials also highlighted the growing scale of online exploitation. Council for the Welfare of Children Undersecretary Angelo Tapales reported a sharp rise in digital threats, noting that online enticement of children increased by 192 percent from 2023 to 2024, while sadistic online exploitation rose by 200 percent over the same period.

Tapales warned that even seemingly harmless photos posted by parents can be taken by malicious individuals and manipulated into lewd images or videos using AI technology.

“It can be a benign picture posted by us parents, grabbed by not so well-meaning people and converted to lewd photographs or videos,” he said.

Read the Fine Print

Cybersecurity experts are also urging users especially minors to review platform policies before uploading images. Globe Assistant Vice President for Analytics Carlo Bernardo Santos emphasized the importance of checking terms and conditions.

“If the terms and conditions are very explicit in saying that we can use this and it’s going to be our property, then that’s something that needs to be watchful for,” Santos said.

The discussion comes amid global concerns about AI misuse. Elon Musk’s Grok AI was recently banned following complaints that it allowed users to generate nude or scantily clad images of individuals, including children. The ban was later lifted after safeguards were introduced.

Reporting Abuse

Philippine National Police Women and Children Cybercrime Protection Unit Officer-in-Charge Col. Cheryl Yatar encouraged victims of deepfakes and other AI-related abuses to report incidents through official Facebook pages such as “Aleng Pulis” or through designated hotlines.

“Kung mabiktima sila ng deepfakes, pwede silang pumunta kahit saang office para tulungang ma-remove iyong mga harmful content,” Yatar said.

DOJ Assistant Secretary Michelle Lapus underscored that peer-sharing and the spread of abusive materials online are unacceptable.

“We will do everything we can to prevent it from happening and to curb whatever cases are occurring now,” Lapus said.

As AI tools become more accessible and sophisticated, officials remind the public that digital fun should not come at the cost of personal safety.