Privacy risks rise with online sharing of children's photos and AI imagery

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and privacy advocates are warning against the risks of sharing children's photos online. Once images are published, it becomes nearly impossible to control who saves, copies, or modifies them. Even seemingly harmless photos can be taken out of context and misused by strangers.

To mitigate risks, experts recommend involving children in the decision-making process, avoiding the publication of sensitive or private situations, and protecting personal details such as full names, schools, or locations. Limiting the audience through privacy settings is also advised.

This concern is amplified by the rise of AI-generated imagery. While many families use AI photo generators for entertainment—such as creating stylized portraits or holiday-themed caricatures—this practice can lead to a loss of control over biometric data and context. The trend highlights a generational divide between those who view AI imagery as harmless fun and those who see it as a significant privacy and data security risk.