The ChatGPT iPhone app created by the company OpenAI has become one of the most popular free apps on the App Store. With this mobile version of the AI chatbot, users are able to take the conversation on the go and use speech-to-text for a conversational experience. However, before diving head first into the app, users should be aware of the potential risks to their privacy.
OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, developed the chatbot to make use of the generative AI boom taking advantage of it. Despite being offered for free, other variations of AI chatbot apps on the market require a weekly subscription fee, making them quite costly and often unappealing.
On the flip side, the privacy policy for this app states that when you use the services, the AI may collect personally identifiable information from any input, file uploads, or feedback provided. This implies that any personal data such as conversations regarding anger or emotional issues, or even editing and enhancing personal documents and texts, could be accessible to OpenAI – even if anonymized prior to being reviewed by a human.
OpenAI is likely not reading every conversation of every user, but it is a risk that anyone using ChatGPT should keep in mind. With the portable version of the chatbot, users are more likely to use it throughout the day for quick interactions, often involving sensitive topics. In this situation, it is best to be careful and aware when using AI technology of such nature.
Jack Clark, the founder of OpenAI, has also raised a campaign for more rigid regulations in the use of artificial intelligence technology. This emphasizes the idea of being cautious when using AI applications and particularly ChatGPT on your phone, as information may unintentionally be collected and somehow accessed by humans at OpenAI.
