Barbie selfie generators, AI tools that transform selfies into Barbie-like avatars, may pose a privacy risk, Poland’s Ministry of Digitization has warned.
Barbie selfie generators have become a trendy sensation on social media platforms like TikTok following the release of the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie. But this seemingly harmless trend has sparked concerns among privacy advocates.
Two popular Barbie selfie generators — BaiRBIE.me and BarbieSelfie.AI — tap into the excitement surrounding the Barbie movie and offer a fun and immersive experience. However, there is growing apprehension about how these platforms handle users’ personal data.
These AI tools collect loads of user data, including email and IP addresses, which may be shared with third parties. Poland’s Ministry of Digitization described these Barbie selfie generators as “mass data collection tools.” In a Facebook post on July 21, the ministry warned that they pose a “serious threat to our data.”
BaiRBIE.me Selfie Generator Doesn’t Comply With European Privacy Law
According to Poland’s Ministry of Digitization, the BaiRBIE.me selfie generator doesn’t comply with European Union’s privacy law.
“The bairbie.me app does not meet the requirements of the General Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) on the protection of personal data – so we don’t know what information is being collected and how it will be used,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the privacy policy of Warner Bros’ BarbieSelfie.AI states that the platform collects various personal data, including users’ IP addresses, GPS location history, smartphone camera, browser info, location, payment info, user social media engagement statistics, and more. And this data may be shared with various third parties, including affiliates, business partners, and service providers.
While BarbieSelfie.AI’s privacy policy doesn’t say user photos are used to train the AI tool, questions remain.
Both BaiRBIE.me and BarbieSelfie.AI are not affiliated with Mattel, which owns the Barbie brand.
Protecting Your Data
The Barbie avatar trend isn’t an isolated case. Many AI tools, like Lensa.AI, that offer enticing features could be double-edged swords. Beyond the fun facade, they might be gateways for identity theft, the creation of deepfakes, and even cyberbullying.
Cybercriminals are taking advantage of the widespread interest in the Barbie movie to snare unsuspecting victims. In a blog post on July 20, computer security software company McAfee warned about a rise in various Barbie scams.
To navigate this evolving digital minefield, it’s important to review the terms of use and privacy policies of the online platforms you use — especially those that require your personal data. Also, be wary of platforms that require lots of personal data and permissions.
If you must share personal data with a platform, consider using Surfshark’s Alternative ID to generate random details. This tool provides an alternative email address and online persona, so you don’t have to share your details. This protects your privacy in the event of a data breach and also ensures your information doesn’t fall into the hands of data brokers.
We also recommend using Surfshark VPN to hide your IP address and improve your online anonymity. You can read more about the benefits of this VPN in our Surfshark review.
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