ChatGPT photo trend: Top 5 prompts to turn your photo into 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s versions for Instagram, WhatsApp

The latest viral trend on ChatGPT involves users uploading their selfies and transforming them into retro-style photographs reminiscent of the 1980s. While the resulting images may appear nostalgic, users must be aware of what happens to their personal photos and the associated data when uploaded. A photo of a person's face can be considered personal data due to its potential to identify the individual.

Additionally, images can contain metadata, such as information about the time the photo was taken, the device used, and in some cases, the location where it was taken. When a user uploads a photo to ChatGPT, it becomes part of their conversation data and may be stored alongside other interaction records. OpenAI notes that chat conversations are saved to a user's account until they are deleted, with some data potentially remaining on their systems for up to 30 days post-deletion.

Certain information may be retained longer for legal or security reasons or when it has been de-identified and separated from the user's account. By uploading a personal image, users agree to share it with another company, necessitating an understanding of that service's data storage and privacy policies to safeguard personal information.

To create an 80s-style photo, users should open ChatGPT, upload their photo, describe the desired 1980s style, and request that recognizable features be preserved. It is essential to avoid uploading photos of others without consent, especially of children, to respect their privacy and consent. While the 1980s effect may fade from social media quickly, the digital copy of the photograph may remain on OpenAI's servers longer, subject to their storage and deletion policies.

Users can enhance their data privacy by using incognito mode, disabling model training where possible, and deleting unnecessary chats and files. It is crucial to remember that AI services can process various information, including directly provided user data, inferred information from user inputs, session metadata, and files or responses saved during interactions.

This information, along with basic metadata like IP address, device type, operating system, and general geographic location, may be collected and used to identify patterns about a user's interests, habits, or work. Although the viral trend does not guarantee the theft or creation of deepfakes from uploaded selfies, users must understand that they are handing another company a copy of their personal image and should be aware of how that service stores and processes it.