When AI Crosses the Line: From Ghibli-Style Art to Illegally Sourced Sales Data by Apollo.io and Seamless.ai

Navigating the Ethical Crossroads of AI Innovation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of creativity and efficiency, enabling the generation of art reminiscent of renowned styles and automating data collection for business insights. However, these advancements have sparked significant ethical debates. Recent controversies, such as the AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style art and the data scraping practices of platforms like Apollo.io, highlight the delicate balance between technological innovation and ethical responsibility. 

This blog delves into these incidents, exploring their implications for businesses, particularly startups and SMBs, and emphasizing the importance of ethical AI practices.

AI and Copyright: The Ghibli-Style Art Controversy

The Rise of AI-Generated Ghibli-Style Art

In March 2025, OpenAI's ChatGPT introduced a feature allowing users to generate images in the distinctive style of Studio Ghibli, the acclaimed Japanese animation studio known for classics like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. This trend, dubbed "Ghiblification," quickly gained traction on social media, with users transforming various images into Ghibli-esque artworks.

Ethical and Legal Concerns

While many admired the AI's ability to replicate Ghibli's aesthetic, the practice raised significant ethical and legal questions:​

• Unauthorized Use of Artistic Style: Studio Ghibli did not authorize the use of its distinctive style for AI-generated images, leading to concerns about the exploitation of the studio's artistic identity.
  
  
• Hayao Miyazaki's Disapproval: Studio Ghibli's co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki, has previously expressed strong opposition to AI-generated art, describing it as an "insult to life itself." ​
  
  
• Legal Ambiguities: Legal experts suggest that while specific artworks are protected by copyright, mimicking an art style may not constitute infringement, making legal action challenging for Studio Ghibli.
  
  

Business Implications for Startups and SMBs

For businesses leveraging AI in content creation, this controversy underscores the need for caution:

• Risk of Intellectual Property Infringement: Utilizing AI to generate content that closely resembles copyrighted styles can lead to legal disputes and reputational damage.​
  
  
• Importance of Ethical AI Use: Companies should ensure that their AI tools are trained on datasets that respect intellectual property rights and do not exploit existing artistic works without consent.​
  
  

AI and Data Privacy: The Apollo.io Data Scraping Scandal

LinkedIn’s Crackdown on Data Scraping

In early 2025, LinkedIn removed Apollo.io and Seamless.ai from its platform for violating data privacy policies. These platforms were accused of scraping massive amounts of user data without consent, violating LinkedIn’s terms of service.

This move followed a broader crackdown on unauthorized data collection, reinforcing that even AI-powered sales tools must adhere to ethical standards.

How Apollo.io’s Practices Sparked Controversy

Apollo.io, a well-known sales intelligence platform, built its database by aggregating millions of business contacts—including names, emails, and job titles.

Key issues included:

1. Unauthorized Data Collection
   
   • Users didn’t explicitly consent to having their information scraped and sold.
   • This violated data protection laws like GDPR (Europe) and CCPA (California).
     
     
2. Potential Security Risks
   
   • Sensitive business data in the wrong hands could lead to phishing attacks and identity theft.
     
     
3. Legal Consequences & Platform Bans
   
   • LinkedIn’s removal of Apollo.io signaled serious regulatory consequences for unethical AI-driven data collection.
     
     

Real-World Case Study: Clearview AI

Another infamous case of AI-powered data scraping is Clearview AI, which compiled billions of facial images from public sites to power its facial recognition technology.

• In 2021, Clearview faced legal action in multiple countries for violating privacy laws.
• Governments and tech companies alike banned its services due to ethical concerns.
• The case set a precedent that unauthorized data scraping is no longer acceptable.
  
  

Business Implications for SMBs & Startups

• Risk of Non-Compliance: SMBs using data-scraping tools must verify that their data sources comply with privacy laws.
• Trust & Brand Perception: Businesses caught in unethical data practices risk losing customer trust and investor confidence.
• Long-Term Legal & Financial Risks: Regulatory bodies are cracking down on AI-driven data misuse, with steep fines and bans for violators.
  
  

The Growing Need for Ethical AI in Business

Why Ethical AI Practices Matter

As AI technology advances, businesses must ensure they’re using it responsibly. Ethical AI isn't just a legal necessity—it’s a competitive advantage.

Risks of Unethical AI Use:

How Businesses Can Implement Ethical AI

1. Audit AI Data Sources: Ensure all AI tools comply with GDPR, CCPA, and platform-specific regulations.
2. Use AI Transparently: Inform users when AI-generated content is involved in business decisions.
3. Avoid Copyrighted Training Data: Choose AI models that respect intellectual property rights.
4. Respect User Privacy: Avoid unauthorized data scraping—opt for legally obtained, consent-based datasets.
   
   

Why Thriwin Leads the Way in Ethical AI

At Thriwin, we believe AI should be an enabler of business success—not a risk factor. The rise of AI-driven copyright violations and unethical data scraping has made it crucial for businesses to choose AI solutions that align with compliance, transparency, and ethical data practices.

For startups, SMBs, and enterprise leaders, adopting AI responsibly isn't just about avoiding legal trouble—it's about building long-term customer trust, strengthening brand reputation, and driving sustainable business growth.

At Thriwin, we help businesses leverage AI ethically while maximizing efficiency and sales potential.

How Thriwin Ensures Responsible AI Adoption

Thriwin is committed to developing AI tools that prioritize privacy, compliance, and ethical sales automation. Here's how we ensure responsible AI use:

✅ Compliant AI Solutions

Our AI-driven automation tools are built with a privacy-first approach and adhere to global data regulations such as:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) – EU Compliance
• CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) – U.S. Compliance
• SOC 2 (Service Organization Control) – Security & Data Integrity Standards
  
  

Unlike AI tools that operate in a legal gray area, Thriwin ensures full compliance with data protection laws, safeguarding businesses from regulatory penalties and legal risks.

✅ No Data Scraping Practices

One of the biggest risks in AI-powered lead generation is unauthorized data scraping, which can lead to:

• Platform bans (like LinkedIn's removal of Apollo.io)
• Hefty fines for data privacy violations
• Loss of customer trust due to ethical concerns
  

At Thriwin, we NEVER engage in data scraping. Instead, our AI tools leverage:

• Verified and consent-based data sources
• Direct customer engagement and ethical data collection
• AI-powered insights without compromising privacy
  
  

This means businesses can scale lead generation and sales outreach without violating ethical or legal boundaries.

✅ Transparent AI Usage

AI adoption shouldn't come with hidden risks. At Thriwin, we ensure full transparency in how our AI tools operate, helping businesses:

• Understand AI-driven decision-making
• Avoid AI-generated biases in sales and marketing
• Communicate openly with customers about AI involvement
  
  

Transparency in AI usage fosters customer trust and regulatory confidence, reducing risks of compliance violations or brand backlash.

✅ Business Growth Without Compromise

Many businesses face a trade-off between AI-driven automation and ethical business practices—but Thriwin removes that dilemma.

With Thriwin, companies can:
✔️ Automate sales and lead generation ethically
✔️ Improve operational efficiency without legal risks
✔️ Leverage AI for business intelligence while maintaining compliance

We believe business growth should never come at the cost of privacy, ethics, or compliance.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Ethical AI in Business

The rise of Ghibli-style AI art and data scraping issues with platforms like Apollo.io highlight the urgent need for businesses to adopt responsible AI practices. These examples underscore the fine line between leveraging AI for business growth and violating ethical boundaries.

For startups and SMBs, adopting AI tools responsibly isn’t just a legal necessity; it’s a strategic choice that impacts long-term growth, reputation, and customer loyalty. By choosing compliant, transparent, and privacy-first AI solutions, businesses can:

• Foster trust with customers by showing commitment to ethical practices
• Safeguard their reputation against potential legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny
• Ensure long-term success by staying ahead of the curve in a world where AI regulation is tightening
  
  

The businesses that lead in AI adoption will not only enhance operational efficiency and boost growth but will also shape the future of AI in a way that benefits society at large.

Your Ethical AI Journey Starts Here

The future of AI is promising, but it comes with its challenges. Make sure your business is on the right side of AI adoption. By choosing Thriwin, you’re partnering with a company that prioritizes ethics, compliance, and privacy in every step of the AI journey.

🔹 Ready to scale your business with AI that works ethically, securely, and responsibly?
🔹 Get started with Thriwin today and unlock the full potential of AI — without compromise.
🔹 Visit Thriwin.io to learn more and take the first step towards responsible AI implementation.

Join us in embracing AI that helps your business grow while respecting the rights and privacy of others.

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Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. What is the controversy around AI-generated Ghibli-style art?

AI-generated Studio Ghibli-style images have sparked copyright concerns, as these models are often trained on existing artwork without explicit permission. Experts argue this may violate intellectual property rights, raising questions about AI-generated content ownership and ethical use of creative assets.

2. Why was Apollo.io banned from LinkedIn for data scraping?

Apollo.io faced a LinkedIn ban due to data scraping, which involved harvesting user information without consent. Such practices violate platform policies and may infringe on data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Businesses using unethically sourced AI-driven lead generation risk account suspensions, fines, and reputational damage.

3. How can businesses ensure AI compliance with copyright and data laws?

Businesses should choose AI solutions that prioritize compliance, including:
✔️ Using AI tools that do not scrape or store unauthorized data
✔️ Ensuring AI-generated content respects copyright and fair use laws
✔️ Working with AI providers that adhere to GDPR, CCPA, and other global data protection regulations

4. What are the risks of using unethical AI for lead generation?

Using AI tools that scrape data or operate in a legal gray area can result in:
🚨 Regulatory fines for data privacy breaches
🚨 Platform bans (as seen with Apollo.io and LinkedIn)
🚨 Loss of customer trust due to non-transparent AI practices
To avoid these risks, businesses should adopt ethically designed AI tools that respect privacy and compliance standards.

5. How does Thriwin ensure ethical AI adoption for businesses?

Thriwin provides AI-driven automation tools that prioritize: ✔️ Compliance with global data privacy laws (GDPR, CCPA) ✔️ Ethical lead generation without scraping or unauthorized data use ✔️ Transparency in AI decision-making to maintain trust ✔️ Scalable AI solutions that support long-term, sustainable business growth With Thriwin, businesses can harness AI’s power ethically, securely, and without legal risks.