The viral AI caricature trend is raising cybersecurity concerns in Asia Pacific (APAC), as users share personal photos and detailed prompts with artificial intelligence tools, according to Kaspersky.

The AI caricature trend, popular on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, sees users upload a personal image and ask AI tools to create illustrated versions of their lives, jobs and families based on “everything the AI knows” about them. While widely viewed as creative entertainment, cybersecurity specialists warn it may expose sensitive personal data and enable more convincing phishing attacks.

Personalised Data, Personalised Scams

Kaspersky said such prompts go beyond simple visual filters. To generate detailed images, users often provide additional information including their company name, job title, corporate logos, city, daily routines, hobbies and family details.

Each data point contributes to a detailed digital profile. When combined with photos and contextual information, these details may reveal habits, relationships and professional responsibilities.

Cybercriminals can use this information to craft targeted fraud attempts. Messages referencing a victim’s workplace, job title or family members may appear more credible, increasing the likelihood of victims sharing sensitive information or transferring money.

“This viral trend of caricature creation of our lives may seem like harmless fun, but it is effectively a voluntary briefing for cybercriminals,” said Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky.

“In a region where AI adoption is leading the world but technical literacy is still catching up, these digital portraits are becoming dangerous maps. We are essentially giving scammers the ‘context’ they need to turn a generic phishing email into a highly convincing, personalized scam that can bypass even a cautious user’s defenses,” he added.

High AI Adoption In APAC

The cybersecurity risks linked to the AI caricature trend are particularly acute in APAC, the company said. The region has a high artificial intelligence adoption rate, with 78 per cent of professionals using AI weekly, above the global average of 72 per cent.

However, many users continue to face challenges in basic technical literacy, potentially increasing exposure to phishing and social engineering attacks.

Kaspersky also noted that users may share more than just the final image when interacting with AI platforms. Depending on the service’s privacy policy, uploaded photos, written prompts, usage history and certain technical data — such as IP addresses, devices and interaction patterns — may be stored.

Some platforms retain this data to operate services, improve performance or train AI models. As a result, content shared for a viral AI caricature may remain stored longer than users expect.

Safety Tips For Users

To reduce risks linked to the AI caricature trend, Kaspersky advises users to avoid entering identifiable data in prompts, such as full names, job titles, company names, addresses or daily routines.

Users should also refrain from uploading photos that display logos, credentials, documents, licence plates, screens or identifiable buildings. The company cautioned against sharing images or information involving minors or family members, which could be exploited for impersonation or emotional scams.

Reviewing platform privacy policies and permissions is also recommended, particularly regarding content retention and the use of data for training or service improvements.