5 Things You Must Not Share With AI Chatbots – MUO – MakeUseOf
Conversations with chatbots may feel intimate, but you’re really sharing every word with a private company.
The popularity of artificial intelligence chatbots has surged. While their capabilities are impressive, it's important to acknowledge that chatbots are not flawless. There are inherent risks associated with using AI chatbots, such as privacy concerns and potential cyber-attacks. It is crucial to exercise caution when engaging with chatbots.
Let's explore the potential hazards of sharing information with AI chatbots and see what types of information should not be disclosed to them.
Privacy risks and vulnerabilities associated with AI chatbots present significant security concerns for users. It may surprise you, but your friendly chat companions like ChatGPT, Bard, Bing AI, and others can inadvertently expose your personal information online. These chatbots rely on AI language models, which derive insights from your data.
For instance, the current version of Google's chatbot, Bard, explicitly states on its FAQ page that it collects and utilizes conversation data to train its model. Similarly, ChatGPT also has privacy issues as it can retain chat records for model improvement. But it provides an option to opt out.
Since AI chatbots store data on servers, they become vulnerable to hacking attempts. These servers hold a wealth of information that cybercriminals can exploit in various ways. They can infiltrate the servers, pilfer the data, and sell it on dark web marketplaces. Additionally, hackers can leverage this data to crack passwords and gain unauthorized access to your devices.
Image Credits: OpenAI FAQs
Furthermore, the data generated from your interactions with AI chatbots is not restricted to the respective companies alone. While they maintain that the data is not sold for advertising or marketing purposes, it is shared with certain third parties for system maintenance requirements.
OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, acknowledges that it shares data with "a select group of trusted service providers" and that some "authorized OpenAI personnel" may have access to the data. These practices raise further security concerns surrounding AI chatbot interactions, as critics argue generative AI security concerns may worsen.
Therefore, safeguarding personal information from AI chatbots is crucial to maintain your privacy.
To ensure your privacy and security, following these five best practices when interacting with AI chatbots is essential.
Can cybercriminals use AI chatbots like ChatGPT to hack your bank account? With the widespread use of AI chatbots, many users have turned to these language models for financial advice and managing personal finances. While they can enhance financial literacy, it is crucial to know the potential dangers of sharing financial details with AI chatbots.
When using chatbots as financial advisors, you risk exposing your financial information to potential cybercriminals who could exploit it to drain your accounts. Despite companies claiming to anonymize conversation data, third parties and some employees may still have access to it. This raises concerns about profiling, where your financial details could be used for malicious purposes such as ransomware campaigns or sold to marketing agencies.
To protect your financial information from AI chatbots, you must be mindful of what you share with these generative AI models. Limiting your interactions to gaining general information and asking broad questions is advisable. If you require personalized financial advice, there may be better options than relying solely on AI bots. They may provide inaccurate or misleading information, potentially risking your hard-earned money. Instead, consider seeking advice from a licensed financial advisor who can provide reliable and tailored guidance.
Many users are turning to AI chatbots to seek therapy, unaware of the potential consequences for their mental well-being. Understanding the dangers of disclosing personal and intimate information to these chatbots is essential.
Firstly, chatbots lack real-world knowledge and can only offer generic responses to mental health-related queries. This means the medicines or treatments they suggest may not be appropriate for your specific needs and could harm your health.
Furthermore, sharing personal thoughts with AI chatbots raises significant privacy concerns. Your privacy may be compromised as your secrets, and intimate thoughts could be leaked online. Malicious individuals could exploit this information to spy on you or sell your data on the dark web. Therefore, safeguarding the privacy of personal thoughts when interacting with AI chatbots is of utmost importance.
It is crucial to approach AI chatbots as tools for general information and support rather than a substitute for professional therapy. If you require mental health advice or treatment, consulting a qualified mental health professional is always advisable. They can provide personalized and reliable guidance while prioritizing your privacy and well-being.
Another mistake that users must avoid when interacting with AI chatbots is sharing confidential work-related information. Even prominent tech giants such as Apple, Samsung, JPMorgan, and Google, the creator of Bard, have restricted their employees from utilizing AI chatbots in the workplace.
A Bloomberg report highlighted a case where Samsung employees used ChatGPT for coding purposes and inadvertently uploaded sensitive code onto the generative AI platform. This incident resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information about Samsung, prompting the company to enforce a ban on AI chatbot usage. As a developer seeking assistance from AI to resolve coding issues, this is the reason why you shouldn’t trust AI chatbots like ChatGPT with confidential information. It is essential to exercise caution when sharing sensitive code or work-related details.
Likewise, many employees rely on AI chatbots to summarize meeting minutes or automate repetitive tasks, posing a risk of unintentionally exposing sensitive data. Thus, maintaining the privacy of confidential work information and refraining from sharing it with AI chatbots is of utmost importance.
Users can safeguard their sensitive information and protect their organizations from inadvertent leaks or data breaches by being mindful of the risks associated with sharing work-related data.
Image Credits: pch.vector/Freepik
It is crucial to emphasize that sharing your passwords online, even with language models, is an absolute no-go. These models store your data on public servers, and disclosing your passwords to them jeopardizes your privacy. In a server breach, hackers can access and exploit your passwords for financial harm.
A significant data breach involving ChatGPT occurred in May 2022, raising serious concerns about the security of chatbot platforms. Furthermore, ChatGPT has been banned in Italy due to the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Italian regulators deemed the AI chatbot non-compliant with privacy laws, highlighting the risks of data breaches on the platform. Consequently, it becomes paramount to protect your login credentials from AI chatbots.
By refraining from sharing your passwords with these chatbot models, you can proactively safeguard your personal information and reduce the likelihood of falling victim to cyber threats. Remember, protecting your login credentials is an essential step in maintaining your online privacy and security.
It is important to refrain from sharing Personal Identification Information (PII) with AI chatbots. PII encompasses sensitive data that can be used to identify or locate you, including your location, social security number, date of birth, and health information. Ensuring the privacy of personal and residential details when interacting with AI chatbots should be a top priority.
To maintain the privacy of your personal data when engaging with AI chatbots, here are some key practices to follow:
In conclusion, while AI chatbot technology offers significant advancements, it also presents serious privacy risks. Protecting your data by controlling shared information is crucial when interacting with AI chatbots. Stay vigilant and adhere to best practices to mitigate potential risks and ensure privacy.
Wasay Ali is a versatile professional writer with global experience and a background in mechanical engineering and social science. He is adept at crafting news and informational content for the crypto space and has experience writing for other niches.
He has worked with several digital marketing agencies and clients in the US, UK, Pakistan, and Europe. He is a dedicated volunteer and enjoys reading, writing, poetry, and going to the gym. He is an INFJ-A personality type dedicated to positively impacting the world.
Wasay has a passion for writing as it allows him to express his creativity, share his knowledge, and connect with people worldwide. He is known for his ability to create high-quality, engaging, and compelling articles that resonate with readers.
