Why You Should Never Give Your Personal Information to AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are becoming part of daily life. From customer service chatbots to content creation assistants, they offer speed and convenience. But sharing personal information with AI comes with risks. If you’re not careful, you could lose control of your data or expose yourself to cybercrime.

This guide explains why you should be cautious and how to protect yourself.

‍

‍Be Careful About What You Share

‍Many companies now use AI chatbots to answer customer questions. While helpful, they are not a safe place to share sensitive information.Never share details such as:

• Social insurance number (SIN)
• Banking or credit card information
• Account credentials (usernames and passwords)

Hackers target company systems to steal this type of data. If a chatbot asks for sensitive details, it’s safer to call the company directly.Losing Control of Your InformationOnce you share information with AI, you can’t always control what happens to it. Some AI tools may:

• Store your conversations indefinitely
• Share your data with third parties
• Use your inputs to train their systems

This means your personal details could be analyzed, sold, or leaked if systems are compromised. Even if platforms claim to anonymize data, leaks can still make information traceable back to you.It’s best to avoid sharing personal images, financial data, or private conversations with AI tools.Watch Out for Fake AI Tools and Spoofed WebsitesCybercriminals now use AI to build convincing fake websites and apps designed to steal data. These fake platforms may:

• Copy logos and layouts of legitimate companies
• Use domain names with small typos (e.g., amaz0n.com instead of amazon.com)
• Ask for login details or payment information

Once you enter your data, criminals can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or targeted scams.To protect yourself:

• Double-check the website URL before entering any details
• Avoid downloading unknown AI apps or browser extensions
• Stay cautious if a site looks slightly “off,” even if the design seems professional

‍

How to Protect Yourself When Using AI

‍Here are some simple steps to stay safe:

• Treat AI interactions like public forums—don’t share information you wouldn’t post online
• Use vague or generic details when testing or experimenting with AI tools
• Read the privacy settings and opt out of data training if available
• Protect your accounts with strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication
• Use company-approved AI tools at work to avoid exposing business data

‍

Final Thoughts

‍AI can be a helpful tool, but it also introduces privacy risks. The safest rule is simple: don’t share personal or sensitive information with AI. Once your data is entered, you may lose control over where it goes and how it’s used.By staying cautious and following these steps, you can benefit from AI without putting your personal security at risk.