AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, are transforming the way individuals engage with technology. They are becoming integral tools, assisting with everything from answering queries and drafting emails to offering emotional support, integrating seamlessly into daily routines. Their accessibility and capacity to deliver responses that emulate human interaction contribute to their trustworthiness and reliability.
Despite these advancements, experts caution against excessive data sharing with AI, highlighting the potential for serious repercussions, including damage to personal lives. This report provides crucial guidelines on critical precautions to observe when using AI.
**Personal Data**
Sharing seemingly innocuous information like full names, home addresses, contact numbers, or email addresses can create an online profile. Such information can then be exploited for fraudulent activities, phishing attempts, or even surveillance.
**Financial Information**
Entering bank account numbers or credit card details into chatbots exposes sensitive data to interception, leading to vulnerability to fraud and identity theft. Financial information should only be shared through established, secure, and official channels, not AI platforms.
**Login Credentials**
Sharing any login credentials with chatbots is strictly discouraged. Exposing passwords, even in casual exchanges, can endanger email accounts, banking details, and social media profiles. Cybersecurity professionals recommend utilizing secure password managers, rather than AI platforms.
**Medical Data**
While seeking insights on symptoms or treatments from chatbots may appear convenient, AI lacks the qualifications to provide licensed medical advice. Sharing private health information, including medical records, prescriptions, and insurance details, poses potential risks.
**Document Security**
Refrain from uploading identification cards, passports, driver’s licenses, or personal photographs to chatbots. Digital records often persist even after deletion. The risk of hacking, misuse, and identity theft is significant. Always store confidential documents offline or in secure, encrypted environments and avoid sharing them with AI.