*Title was shortened to fit the update notice.
Main Information:
User:bunsniff(Report Link- to ensure user can be found in the event of a name change)
Accusations:Undisclosed AI Usage - Guilt Tripping + Refusing Public Convo
Why I grew suspicious:
I had suspicions that bunsniff was using AI in order to make so many designs in such short amounts of time - the sheer frequency, diversity and PRICINGraised red flags to me, pricing being important because most designs were ~7-13$ for fully original off-base work, and after some days went into a 2 designs for 5$ deal folder. bunsniff even started slowly raising design prices recently, many going for 25$ and over, including at least 45$.
I tried to ignore it because someone who claimed to make affordable designs could just be a well off individual who wanted to spread some joy, but my suspicions grew far bigger with her use of AI images for PFPs/Folder Icons, so I asked in her profile for transparency regarding this issue.
The partial admission of guilt:
bunsniff confirmed her use of AI in some aspects of her creative process - specifically "ideas/colors/concepts [...] maybe hairstyle idea or an outfit design [...] a pose concept" and claimed that she did not re-draw directly from AI images. I replied back expressing my suspicions at the last part but left it at urging her to disclose her AI usage because buyers should be allowed to make informed choices.
The switchup:
bunsniff apologised and said she would now add it to her TOS - I thought it would be left at that. Instead, while later checking she did edit her TOS, I found a newly edited wall of text in the then ~2 hour old reply. bunsniff attempted to earn pity by saying I insulted her over bad anatomy and called her abnormal, when I specifically said "I don't care about some anatomy mistakes, those are understandable, but melting elements, continuity issues and other such things are too frequent."
Additionally, she expressed she did not want further replies, saying "if you'd like to discuss more please message me! Just to keep the comments tidy". My replies were short and concise, especially in a profile with 88 comments (excluding this thread), it's weird tidyness is the concern if she is the one who made a big long comment. To me, it seems like bunsniff did not want any public clarification made by me to disprove her comment, so I decided to keep her profile tidy and make this beware.
The conversation:
Why I think bunsniff DOES re-draw AI images:
As mentioned in my conversation with bunsniff, I have no problem with anatomical mistakes. We all make them sometimes, especially in sketchy work like bunsniff's adopts are. I am perfectly fine with missing a finger now and then, drawing a wonky hand, etc. What is suspicious however, is nonsensical mistakes such as: random floating artifacts, melting elements, disappearing objects if something intercepts them, etc. These are all faults in bunsniff's work, and I will provide a myriad of examples of those instances below.
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I stopped at 10 examples for my health, but you are free to peruse her gallery for many other examples of everything mentioned above.
Closing Statement:
Let me be clear, I was never going to be so angry if she admitted what she did above and left it at that. Even though I thought she was lying about not re-drawing, I was gonna tell myself it was my loss and move on. But acting like I insulted her and lying about what I said is not gonna fly, especially if she then leaves it on display to make me out to be some bad guy who is bullying someone who is "not a perfect artist".
I'm not gonna be used for a pity party when I made it clear anatomy mistakes are fine. It's the "lack of attention" mistakes I grew suspicious of. I asked for honesty and I was nice despite being lied to - which yes, to me, the undisclosed use of AI IS a lie. Were it an accepted practice, everyone would be glad to say they use it - but clearly, despite knowing a lot of people are not okay with it, bunsniff chose to hide this fact and then be angry about people feeling cheated out of money. People could have spent all that money on real original work, rather than "maybe not always" AI-assisted designs, artwork and customs.
I genuinely believe not all of bunsniff's work is re-drawn AI imagery - some look to be re-drawn photographs of real people, some might be fully original or only copied by eye (referencing it, rather than tracing it 1:1). I fully believe there are original elements in her designs, too, because AI struggles with drawing details and bunsniff's designs are not devoid of them. I do not however believe she never traces AI images, nor am I okay with her edited reply painting things in such a weird way.
I hope you are able to make informed choices from now on in regards to bunsniff's work - only buying if you are aware and fine with AI assisting in the process.
Update 1:
bunsniff has replied to this thread in multiple posts and offered refunds to anyone who wants one, you can read the entirity of the replies if you'd like. I posted my own reply comment on why I am still distrusting of her words which you can read here. I will refrain from further replies or edits unless important information needs to be spoken about. Thank you everyone for looking over this thread and chiming in.
Update 2:
bunsniff has made several changes to her plans of giving anyone a refund for any art or OCs they were uncomfortable keeping - She added edits in her bulletin explaining this controversy and her updates on how to compensate users who bought from her.
Her edits were as follows:
Please note some are paraphrased because bunsniff edited a few times while I was just going about my wake-up routine and I couldn't screenshot.
Change #1:
'After 5PM* refunds and redesigns will not be offered anymore. There will be some wiggle room**. You can resell, trade or give away your designs if you want instead.'
*the timezone was never disclosed, so nobody knows when 5PM actually was, but it wasn't even a full day after her bulletin.
**it was not explained what wiggle room meant, it could be cases where she was willing to admit AI usage or something else.
Change #2:
A commenter convinced her that closing redesigns after a short time limit was a bad idea. While there were comments criticizing the entire cut-off, bunsniff only listened to the redesign part of the complaints. The change was solely not limiting redesigns to her 5PM cut-off.
Change #3:
She decided to reverse the 5PM cut-off for refunds on designs - but with caveats:
"After consideration instead of doing a refund cut-off I think I will be doing a refund delay for anyone who wants to use that option. Just message me with: design links, costs, and method of payment, and you'll be added to a refund list on my trello. (Note-only designs going back to april 2024) Redesigns are still open if you would rather take that route."
She also made changes to art commission refunds as well:
"Ok I've seen some users requesting refunds on comms, AI was primarily used for ref poses or ideas on adopts, not comms. I still spent hours of time working on commissions and it is very unlikely anyone will receive a refund for these. At a point I have to draw the line, and I simply can't throw refunds for something that cannot be resold and took time to complete. (Though if you have a concern about a specific comm message me and we can see what we can work out)"
Her new terms* are as follows:
*As of the latest edit to her bulletin
If you want REFUNDS on ADOPTS:
1) Refunds will only be considered for designs from APR 2024 or NEWER
1.1) Any designs from APR to JUL may only be elegible for HALF refunds, whilst AUG to SEPT will be FULL refunds. bunsniff considered this option in a reply comment and hasn't made it clear if it will be put in motion or not, so beware that it is a possibility.
2)Refunds will be delayed and on a trello list, they may take some time to be fullfilled even if busniff keeps her word.
If you want REDESIGNS on ADOPTS:
1) Redesigns will only be considered for designs from APR 2024 or NEWER
2) Redesigns will be delayed and on a trello list, they may take some time to be fullfilled even if busniff keeps her word.
If you want REFUNDS on COMMISSIONS:
1) It is unlikely you will receive a refund, however bunsniff has asked for a DMs should you have concerns regarding any comm you received.
Why this is bad:
Pointing out more inconsistencies with her explanations and why any cut-off/limits on refunds is dishonest.
Regarding REFUND CUT-OFF for ADOPTS:
AI wasn't merely used by bunsniff dating APR and newer - she herself has made no claim against the AI usage starting in at least NOV 2023, a claim made in a comment she directly replied to. Nobody who was sold undisclosed AI work should have their refund cut-off just because it is older work. The age of the work does not negate that bunsniff scammed someone out of their money.
Additionally, POSSIBLY offering only half-refunds on work made as recently as APR-JUL is just as much of a scam. This work was as equally influenced by AI as the recent work, it shouldn't receive different treatment, ESPECIALLY when, to receive a refund, you have to give back the design you were sold and bunsniff has stated she will re-sell it again.
Regarding REFUND REFUSAL for COMMISSIONS:
bunsniff never denied possible AI use for commissions, even in this newest edit where she says it was "mostly" for adopts, that means some commissions still have AI influence. She directly admitted to using AI for certain aspects of commissions in this thread, saying "To get the poses right it was likely a mash up of AI poses and real images, which was silly [...]." in this comment.
She has also directly shown she doesn't fully remember if some things had any specific AI influence on them, thus, you cannot trust that she might remember AI usage or be truthful about it, due to her constant changing lies. This means she cannot say anyone's commission is fully original, so saying refunds aren't given because it is original work is a slippery slide, seeing as any commission can be fully original if she doesn't remember the process or chooses to lie about it.
Other important things about my previous update:
1) bunsniff used her personality disorder as another excusefor her actions in her last reply here. It is always weird to blame your issues when, in the end, you did the bad actions. Your problems may contribute, but in the end you should still take responsibility for your actions. Please don't contribute to the demonization of mentally ill people.
2) busniff lied about having had the intention to make a bulletin to make her followers aware of her actions. She admitted it had not crossed her mind until a user reminded her to do so in this comment - her reply being right under it.
3) Due to concerns from some users that they are now unable to see bunsniff's comments in this thread despite not being blocked, I have taken screenshots of each page's contents and archived them here. You may reference them should any comment not be available to you.
4) bunsniff has stated she may leave the art scene as a whole, saying "At this time I will be working on some designs to post today and depending how that goes I will be deciding if I want to continue in the art scene or move away from it and return to a career offline." in her bulletin. She previously claimed "It will take time to rebuild trust but I am definitely the person to put in the work. I have no intentions to run to a new account or rename myself.", "I have no plans to disappear or rebrand, I plan to correct and do better." and other similar sentiments - I think this only shows she is not one to keep her word on anything, which is why I warned above that she may not keep her word even on the small amount of refunds she is offering.
Final Update(?):
bunsniff has edited her bulletin and profile again, shortly after the above update was posted.
The only changes are adding the following to both:
"Inactive:returning only to complete redesigns promised, transfer holds, or complete the remaining refunds i've approved."
This wording means bunsniff will not be honoring her previous update on already limited refunds - only refunds she has already said Yes to will be fulfilled, any other refunds will be ignored or declined, even those within her previous accepted APR 2024 to Present time slot.
Unfortunately I have no say in what she does or doesn't do. I'm sorry I cannot aid those who may be reading this late in getting refunds if you want them. I hope knowing you at least won't buy AI-influenced work anymore brings some comfort.
