We are all fairly familiar with chatbots, or AI-driven services that help us with automated tasks and website support. ChatGPT, OpenAI’s AI chatbot is the latest player in this game. It has gained some attention due to its ability to answer questions and engage in a conversation with a user. Unfortunately, many have begun to raise a few flags about its potency for privacy issues.
OpenAI, the company that creates ChatGPT, has been heavily criticized for its data retention policies. To understand the potential risks, their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service must be examined. So, what is ChatGPT collecting when we interact with it, and where is this information going?
When you make an account or pay for a premium plan, ChatGPT collects your name, contact information, credentials, payment details, and other account-related data. They also store transcripts of conversations depending on the situation. If you make a comment on their social media platforms, for example, ChatGPT picks up the details you provide. While a lot of this is standard, this AI’s tendency to record your conversations can cause problems. Unknowingly entering private information into the chatbot leads to cyber security issues and possibly breaching of confidentiality.
ChatGPT is also notorious for collecting advanced data from the user’s device and browser. This includes IP address, location, device name, and operating system. It also uses cookies to keep track of web browsing activities inside the chat window and on the company’s website. This data is used with the intention of providing a better user experience.
The Privacy Policy also states that OpenAI will provide information to vendors and service providers, other businesses and affiliates, legal entities, and AI trainers. These trainers review and use conversations with the chatbot to improve their services. However, this means that any personal information you enter into the chatbot, such as names and contact numbers, will be available to those involved in the processing of your data. OpenAI has stated that in this situation, you must make sure people involved are informed, that you have consent to enter their private data, and that you are able to comply with GDPR regulations.
It is clear from OpenAI’s Privacy Policy that ChatGPT is a significant cybersecurity risk. OpenAI shares all sorts of data with other entities and affiliates, most of which we can assume is used for analytics. As it is, the AI collects user data on an unprecedented level in order to provide an adequate service, but the room for the misuse of that data is cause for concern.
OpenAI is a company based in San Francisco, California. It focuses on solving the world’s most difficult problems with advanced artificial intelligence technologies. Founded by two of the world’s leading AI researchers, it is backed by a number of renowned investors, including Marc Benioff, Reid Hoffman, Liz Savage and Jeff Weiner.
The company created ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that utilises natural language understanding and natural language generation to interact with customers and answer questions quickly and accurately. OpenAI created the chatbot in partnership with Microsoft and its Azure Cognitive Services platform. It is currently available in public beta and is free to use.
Greg Brockman is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of OpenAI. A self-taught programmer, he has held senior roles at various tech companies for more than a decade, including co-founder of Stripe and Chief Technology Officer at real-time social network Yammer.As well as CTO of OpenAI, Brockman also co-founded Initialized Capital and was responsible for leading the company in its mission to develop advanced artificial intelligence technology.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT is an AI-driven service with the potential to be quite useful. But privacy issues have raised some worries among users. Taking a look at the company’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service can help you understand the risks and how to protect your data while using the AI chatbot. While ChatGPT stores some account and device information, it can also gather private data from your conversations with it, leading to unintentional cyber security issues. OpenAI has addressed these concerns by allowing users to protect their emails and data, and by providing detailed information about how and where it stores their information. Despite this, the potential for misuse is still present, making it even more important to be extra mindful when using the AI chatbot.
