Can you trust ChatGPT with your personal data?
Well, the answer is going to be no – especially if you are discussing confidential personal or professional information with the AI chatbot.
Before we shed light on the controversial privacy policy of the game-changing natural language processing tool that has taken the world by storm, it’s important to understand what ChatGPT is and how it works.
What is ChatGPT?
Created by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a form of generative AI that uses specialized algorithms and natural language processing to create human-like conversations with its users. It can respond to a range of questions and prompts while assisting users with a variety of tasks, such as composing emails, writing articles, generating codes, and much more.
Since it is currently in its research phase, ChatGPT is free to use. Although there is a paid version, called ChatGPT Plus, available for use, you can easily create an OpenAI account to start chatting with the AI chatbot without paying a single buck.
However, as incredibly useful as this tool is, it poses several privacy concerns. As it turns out, ChatGPT stores a big chunk of your user data, including your conversations, location details, and IP address. This information is then used to improve the system and may even be reviewed by the AI trainers to ensure compliance.
What information does ChatGPT collect?
According to the OpenAI privacy policy, this is the information ChatGPT collects on its users:
Log data: Whenever you use ChatGPT, OpenAI automatically receives your log data, which includes your IP address, browser type, and settings. In addition, it stores your chats and the exact time you interacted with the website.
User input: Any information you enter on ChatGPT gets stored. This includes any queries you input on the AI tool, any files you may have uploaded, or any feedback you provided.
Usage data: Along with saving your conversations, ChatGPT also collects data related to your location, time zone, access dates, device type, computer connection, and more. Please note that this information can be used to identify you.
Device information: The company also stores your device information, such as its name, operating system, and the browser you use to access ChatGPT. However, your device settings may impact the information collected by OpenAI to some extent.
Cookies: Like most other websites, OpenAI also uses cookies to collect user data. It stores your browsing activity, which can be used to track you across the internet. Moreover, if you refuse to accept these cookies, it may negatively affect your ChatGPT experience.
On a side note, if you want to learn more about internet cookies and how they work, our comprehensive guide on the topic will surely help you out.
Account information: OpenAI saves all the data associated with your account, such as your name, phone number, and credentials. In addition, if you sign up for the paid version, it will also record your credit card information and transaction history.
Communication information: If you get in touch with OpenAI support or sign up for their newsletter, the company will save your contact details and the messages you shared with them.
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What does ChatGPT do with your personal information?
Wondering what ChatGPT is doing with all the personal data it collects on its users? According to OpenAI, the information is used for the following purposes:
- To maintain and analyze its services
- To conduct research
- To communicate with the users
- To develop new programs and services
- To prevent misuse of the service
- To comply with legal obligations and legal process
What are the top ChatGPT privacy concerns?
Earlier this year, ChatGPT was blocked in Italy after the country’s data protection authority demanded OpenAI stop using personal information from Italian citizens to train its algorithm.
Italy listed four ChatGPT privacy concerns: lack of age controls, inaccurate information about people, zero legal bases for data collection, and lack of permission or notifications when people’s data is being used.
Although the AI tool is now available in Italy, the short-lived ban raised some valid concerns over how the company is handling user data in the age of online tracking and data breaches.
It is also worth noting that OpenAI asks its users to provide their phone numbers and enter a verification code when they sign up to use the service. This means the users cannot use ChatGPT anonymously.
How to protect your privacy when using ChatGPT?
Here are some tips that can help you protect your privacy when using ChatGPT.
Avoid sharing your personal information
Needless to say, not sharing your personal data with ChatGPT is the easiest way to keep it safe. Avoid discussing your confidential personal and work information with the AI tool, since everything you enter into ChatGPT gets recorded on the OpenAI servers.
Use PureAI
Using an advanced virtual private network such as PureVPN can help you encrypt your traffic when using the internet. A VPN can also hide your IP address and location, thus increasing your anonymity and online privacy. However, since ChatGPT tends to block VPNs, you can consider using PureAI – a personal assistant powered by OpenAI – to chat with the AI chatbot without disclosing your personal information.
PureAI, which is currently available for PureVPN customers, interacts with OpenAI on behalf of its users, thus allowing you to use ChatGPT (3.5) while safeguarding your online identity and privacy.
Disable your ChatGPT chat history
OpenAI has recently introduced a new privacy feature that allows ChatGPT users to opt out of personal data processing. You now have the option to disable your chat history through the account settings to ensure ChatGPT deletes your conversations after 30 days. Furthermore, you can restrict your data from being used to train the AI model by filling out the OpenAI User Content Opt Out Request form.
ChatGPT is an extremely useful tool that allows users to create content, generate reports, and analyze data in a highly efficient manner. However, unfortunately, it also has a lot of data privacy issues. It not only collects and stores your personal data on the OpenAI servers but also uses it to improve its system.
If you are worried about ChatGPT storing your personal data, consider using a PureAI to safeguard your digital footprint and refrain from sharing any sensitive information with the chatbot.
Read More: How to use ChatGPT to improve your language skills