Bangkok: In an era where AI is widely discussed, many people may be enjoying using intelligent chatbots so much that they forget a "silent threat" is lurking. Dr. Prinya Hom-anek has revealed the shocking truth that privacy in the world of AI is virtually nonexistent, and we are being watched constantly, like a shadow lurking behind us.
According to Thai News Agency, AI doesn't just collect "answers," it collects your "identity." Research indicates that 17 out of 20 AI applications share user data with partners or third parties. What's worrying is that the systems record not only the text you type, but also user behavior such as mouse scrolling, menu clicks, and time spent on web pages, for UX/UI analysis and consumer behavior analysis.
Even worse, AI can recognize users' identities through logins, allowing it to know "who" is asking what. This data can be analyzed in depth to predict future needs, mental state (whether they are depressed), or even personal preferences that we sometimes never tell anyone.
The "data sharing" mechanism for advertising: The reason brands are developing their own chatbots is to obtain information about real customer needs. This data is often shared among partners to be used for targeted advertising. Dr. Prinya compares this to a "slow death," where we gradually lose personal data in exchange for convenience.
How to protect yourself: How to input data securely? To mitigate the risks, Dr. Prinya offers the following important advice for AI users:
1. Do not enter sensitive data: such as your national ID number, password, blood test results, or X-ray results, as this information can clearly identify you and reveal your health problems.
2. Use "Private Chat" or "Temporary Chat" mode: While it can't be 100% guaranteed that your data won't be collected, this method helps reduce the sharing of your information to some extent.
3. Check the terms and conditions before ticking "Accept": Especially the button that requests to share data with a third party, which you can choose to decline in some cases.
4. The "Asking on behalf of others" technique: If you really need to discuss a personal matter, avoid using questions that are perceived as "asking on behalf of a friend" or "someone asked me to ask," to prevent the AI from directly associating that behavior with your own personality.
Conclusion: Every convenience comes with a price. In today's tech world, escaping data collection is difficult, as the ecosystems of giants like Google and Microsoft are inextricably linked to our daily lives. The best approach is a conscious "trade-off." If data is necessary to gain immense benefits, it might be acceptable. However, for top-secret information, the best protection is to "not publish" it.