Peek-a-boo, Big Tech sees you: Expert warns just 20 cloud images can make an AI deepfake video of your child

Published: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 9:56 pm

Cloud Photos: Are Your Child's Pictures Safe from AI Deepfakes?

Parents, those precious photos of your children's milestones – from first steps to birthday parties – could be more vulnerable than you think. A new study highlights the potential risks associated with storing family photos on cloud services like Google Photos, Apple iCloud, Amazon Photos, and Dropbox.

The study, conducted by Perspectus Global and commissioned by Proton, surveyed over 2,000 UK parents and revealed a concerning lack of awareness. A staggering 48% of parents were unaware that these cloud providers can access and analyze the photos they upload. This analysis uses artificial intelligence to sort images, recognize faces, and suggest memories.

However, this same technology can be exploited. Cybersecurity expert Professor Carsten Maple warns that AI tools can create convincing deepfake videos of a person with as few as 20 photos. Even seemingly innocent pictures of your child at school or in the backyard can reveal valuable data like names and locations, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

The study also found that 56% of parents have automatic photo uploads enabled, constantly sending new images to the cloud. Furthermore, only 43% of parents knew cloud services collect metadata like time, date, and location, and just 36% were aware that these companies analyze the contents of photos.

While convenience is a factor, concern is growing. Nearly three-quarters of parents surveyed (72%) said photo privacy is important, and 69% acknowledged the risks of digital footprints left by storing family photos online. This study's findings are relevant globally, as families worldwide use the same technology platforms and face the same questions about the safety and security of their children's photos. In the age of AI, a family photo is no longer just a memory; it's also data that can be manipulated into deepfakes.

Keywords: cloud storage, photo privacy, AI deepfakes, child safety, online safety, Google Photos, Apple iCloud, Amazon Photos, Dropbox, data privacy, artificial intelligence, deepfake videos, parents, children, digital footprint, metadata, photo analysis, cybersecurity, UK study, Perspectus Global, Proton

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