The importance of understanding the threats of using artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT cannot be overstated. This is evidenced by the fact that the huge technology company Samsung had three of its employees mistakenly disclose private company data on Sep 2020, via ChatGPT – proof of the alarming breach of security and privacy AI can cause. Our personal data is especially at risk when using ChatGPT, as the platform logs and saves every conversation held with it. It is a troubling issue, insofar, it is hard for the average user to learn about this data breach risk, unless they do the difficult task of combing through the relevant policies, FAQs and terms of service it offers.
Making matters more concerning is the fact that many companies use ChatGPT, which heightens the potential of a broader data leak disaster due to how easy it is to accidentally “leak” confidential and private information. Following the Samsung incident, certain countries have blocked employees’ access to ChatGPT until they can better address and improve their privacy issues. This should heavily encourage companies to be more mindful with how their staff and members utilize it.
It is still fortunate to note that, in the specific Samsung incident, customer data and other sensitive material were not impacted. Nevertheless, it only takes a small and simple mistake for a company’s employees to leak their consumers’ personal information and it is only a matter of time before another company makes this mistake. If this were to be the case, we may suddenly find ourselves inundated with phishing emails and identity theft cases. Important code, as well as details from business plans, prototypes and future product-releases if such data were to be processed via ChatGPT, could also be disclosed– leading to significant losses for the company in question.
This is why it is so important to remember never to trust ChatGPT with confidential information. The platform itself records, stores and shares conversations. Even if we are not deliberately sharing our private information on it, it could easily be accidentally shared which could lead to all sorts of legal, financial and reputational issues. It is also important to note that employees should also be trained to properly use such tools in order to prevent any undesirable data leaks.
Samsung is a South Korean multinational technology company that manufactures and produces a variety of electronic items and services, including telecommunications equipment, and audio-visual products such as smartphones, televisions, and home appliances. Established in 1938, Samsung is the world’s largest information technology company, with a revenue of $214.8 billion (USD) in 2019.
The company is currently led by Lee Jae-yong, better known as Jay Y. Lee, who is the Chairman, Vice Chairman and managing director at Samsung Corporation. In 2018 Lee was convicted of bribing former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, and granted a suspended prison sentence of two and a half years. Out of his conviction, Lee had to step down from his position in Samsung, however, he returned to his role as vice chairman in 2016.
