5 Data Privacy Best Practices for AI Users

What You Need to Know:

• Treat Public AI as a Public Platform: Never input sensitive, confidential, or proprietary data into unsecure AI systems, as your inputs can be used for model training and may be inadvertently exposed. ‍
• Actively Control Your Data Settings: Opt-out of features that use your conversations for model training and regularly deleting your past chat history to minimize the data the provider retains. ‍
• Prioritize Secure Access and Tools: For work or sensitive tasks, use enterprise-level AI tools which offer stricter privacy guarantees.

5 Data Privacy Best Practices for AI Users

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools have become indispensable in our daily lives, from crafting emails to analyzing data. It is a powerful tool fueled by your data. When you interact with an AI chatbot or use an AI-powered service, you are often sharing information that could be stored, analyzed, and even used to train future models.

Protecting your digital privacy in the age of AI requires vigilance and a few simple, actionable steps. Here's a user's guide to staying safe while harnessing the power of AI.

What Happens to Your Data?

When you type a query into a popular AI tool, you need to remember these key things:

• AI Models Learn from Inputs: Many publicly accessible generative AI systems use the conversations and inputs they receive to improve their models. This means the information you enter could influence their future outputs, and in some cases, your proprietary or personal information could be inadvertently exposed to others. ‍
• Metadata and Context is Collected: Beyond the text of your prompt, AI tools may collect other data, including your IP address, information about your browsing activity, and details about your device and location. ‍
• Data Retention Policies Vary: Every AI provider has different rules on how long they keep your data, creating a record of your interactions and the sensitive information you share.

Understanding these risks is the most critical step to minimizing your data exposure. Enterprise versions of AI tools offer stricter data privacy, often guaranteeing that your inputs are not used for model training. Always read the privacy policy to be certain of their specific data collection and retention rules.

5 Steps for AI Data Privacy  

You do not have to stop using AI, just be smart about how you interact with it. Follow these best practices to keep your data secure.

1. Never Share Sensitive Information

This is the golden rule of AI privacy. Treat unsecured, publicly available AI systems like a public platform.

• Never input confidential, proprietary, or highly personal data. This includes details like your home address, Social Security number, credit card information, passwords, or unpublished business plans. ‍
• Remove or change any identifying details. For instance, use a fake name or a general city name instead of a specific address.

2. Control Your Privacy Settings

Reputable AI platforms offer controls to limit how your data is used. Take the time to find and customize them.

• Opt-out of training. Look in the settings for an option like Data Control, Improve Model for Everyone, or Activity. Toggle off any feature that permits your prompts and conversations to be used for model training or review. ‍
• Regularly delete your past chat history. Many providers only retain chats for a limited time (e.g., 30 days) but periodically deleting them yourself is a proactive measure to minimize stored data. ‍
• Disable unnecessary permissions. Review the permissions for AI apps. Does an image generator need constant access to your location or photos? If not, turn those permissions off.

3. Account Management

How you access an AI tool can affect the data it collects and links to you. Gemini, for example, has access to all your google accounts and uses that data.

• Go accountless or use an AI only account. If possible, avoid creating an account for simple or quick tasks. This limits the data that can be associated with a personal account. If you cannot avoid creating an account, use an AI only email address to limit access to other data.
• ‍Avoid using third-party sign-ins. If you do create an account, do not sign-in with Facebook or another third party. This prevents those companies from easily exchanging information about you. ‍
• Use MFA and a strong password. If you have an account, protect it with a strong, unique password and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).  

4. Read the Privacy Policy

Before you commit to a new AI service, quickly review its data sharing policies.

• Review Privacy Policy: Quickly scan privacy policy if the policies are opaque or seem too permissive, consider using a different tool, or use the tool with caution. Most free AI tools would fall into this category. ‍
• Choose Secure, Approved Tools: If you are using AI for work, see if your organization provides access to an enterprise version. These versions often have stricter privacy rules, with chat data guaranteed not to be shared or used for training.

5. Stay Updated!

AI risks do not replace traditional cyberattack methods but are becoming a new avenue of accessing your sensitive data.

• Regularly update all your software, operating systems, and devices. These updates often include critical security patches that protect you from new vulnerabilities. ‍
• Stay informed about privacy policy updates. When you login to an AI tool, this means you have accepted any privacy policy updates. Take a minute to make sure you are still comfortable using the tool.

By following these AI privacy habits, you will reduce your exposure while continuing to benefit from AI tools.

Stay Safe

Securing your data in the AI landscape boils down to informed caution and consistent application of best practices. Remember, never input sensitive, proprietary, or highly personal data into public-facing AI systems. You do not have to stop harnessing the remarkable capabilities of AI. Instead, use these tools smartly and with vigilance.  

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