Is ChatGPT Safe?

Depending on how you use it, ChatGPT can be safe. However, to protect yourself and your data, you should be aware of some security risks. These risks include concerns over privacy, shared data with third-party sources, copycat ChatGPT websites and apps and the tool’s tendency to generate misinformation. 

If you’re not sure what ChatGPT is, it’s an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program that is often used to simplify complex topics, generate ideas, create human-like text and develop marketing material. Here are some security measures that ChatGPT follows to protect your privacy:

• All data is encrypted between the user and ChatGPT.
• ChatGPT goes through a security audit annually to identify potential security weaknesses.
• Only authorized individuals can access the inner workings of ChatGPT, with strict access controls.
• ChatGPT has a bug bounty program, which encourages security researchers and technology gurus to report any bugs they find.

Read on to learn more about what risks users face when using ChatGPT and how to stay safe while using ChatGPT.

ChatGPT security risks

Although there are safe ways to use ChatGPT, some security risks associated with using this generative AI solution could jeopardize your personal information.

Privacy concerns

One of the biggest security risks you can face when using ChatGPT is privacy violations. OpenAI, which owns ChatGPT, states in its privacy policy that, under specific circumstances, ChatGPT will provide user data to third parties without notifying the user. The information you give ChatGPT when using the software is saved and stored, which could then be shared with third-party sources. In addition to saving the content generated through ChatGPT, it also stores data associated with the user and their device. When reading a privacy policy, pay special attention to how a service like ChatGPT collects, stores and uses your data. Since ChatGPT isn’t confidential unless you turn off your chat history, all conversations you have with the chatbot are stored to improve the AI model.

Illegitimate ChatGPT websites and apps

Once ChatGPT became a successful AI program, many scammers started creating websites impersonating ChatGPT as a way to steal individuals’ private information. Google Play, which is Google’s app store, found hundreds of illegitimate ChatGPT apps in April 2023, with millions of people downloading these fake apps and revealing their private data to cybercriminals. Make sure that you use ChatGPT’s official website and app to protect your information from being unintentionally shared with cybercriminals through fake websites and apps.

Misinformation

Although ChatGPT can produce human-like written content, that does not always mean its answers are accurate. ChatGPT has been known to demonstrate a chatbot behavior called hallucination, which is when chatbots can spontaneously start making up information. Therefore, it is dangerous to fully rely on ChatGPT for accurate information because it is capable of producing misinformation as if it were fact. In addition to occasionally spewing false information, ChatGPT admits to holding biases and stereotypes in its content. Remember not to use ChatGPT as a tool for research, as its content will not always be true or accurate. Any content created by ChatGPT should be thoroughly reviewed and vetted by a real person with a strong understanding of the subject matter.

Tips to stay safe when using ChatGPT

Despite some privacy concerns and security risks when using ChatGPT, there are ways to safely use the tool. Follow these tips below to stay safe when you use ChatGPT.

Only use ChatGPT’s official website and app

Since so many cybercriminals hope to trick you into entering your private information on their fake versions of ChatGPT, make sure you only use ChatGPT’s official website and app. If you are worried about accidentally using an imposter website or app, bookmark ChatGPT’s official website so it is easier to access.

Never enter sensitive information into ChatGPT

Because ChatGPT acknowledges that there are occasions when it will share your private information with third parties, it is best never to enter sensitive data into ChatGPT. Everything that goes into ChatGPT is saved and stored within its database, and if ChatGPT suffers a data breach, the private information you share with ChatGPT could end up in the wrong hands. This is why it is crucial not to upload sensitive documents like legal PDFs or financial records into ChatGPT. 

Don’t use ChatGPT to create passwords

You should not use ChatGPT to generate passwords for several reasons. As mentioned before, the content produced by ChatGPT stays in ChatGPT’s database. So, if it creates passwords for you and ChatGPT’s data is breached, a cybercriminal would have access to the passwords that it has generated. Another important reason you should not use ChatGPT to create passwords is that it may generate the same passwords for multiple users.

Rather than risking ChatGPT sharing your passwords or creating weak ones, a better alternative would be using a password generator and password manager. A password generator can create strong and unique passwords using a random combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Once you’ve created your secure password, you can store it in a password manager, which is a digital vault meant to keep your login credentials safe. Keeper Password Manager actually features a built-in password generator so that you can create and store your passwords in the same place.

Use an anonymous account

If you want to minimize security risks when using ChatGPT, it is safest to use an anonymous account. Earlier this year, ChatGPT started allowing people to use its chatbot instantly, without signing up for an account. By not filling out your private information as you sign up for a ChatGPT account, you will not be at risk of having your information shared or stolen. In ChatGPT’s settings, you can choose to turn off the Improve the model for everyone option, which will prevent content produced in your communications with ChatGPT from being used to train the AI model. You may, however, still be required to provide your phone number for authentication purposes. 

Always cross-check the information ChatGPT provides

Since ChatGPT can be inaccurate, you should always cross-check the content that ChatGPT provides with a reliable source. Because we know that sometimes ChatGPT can hallucinate, it’s important to refer to reliable sources and do outside research to confirm the accuracy of ChatGPT’s produced content. In addition, doing your own research based on ChatGPT’s content will clarify whether or not ChatGPT is biased in how it portrays its information.

Report issues you encounter to OpenAI

When using ChatGPT, you may come across some issues that need to be resolved. Contact OpenAI directly so they can fix the bugs quickly. After receiving ChatGPT’s response to your prompt, you can also give feedback directly based on how satisfied you are with ChatGPT’s content. If it did not produce content that you found accurate or helpful, you can give it a thumbs down. In contrast, if you found ChatGPT to be very convenient and easy to use, you can give its response a thumbs up.

Use ChatGPT and other AI models safely

Regardless of whether you use ChatGPT or other AI models, it is important to use these technological advancements safely to protect your private information. Make sure you use the official ChatGPT website or app and double-check the accuracy of ChatGPT’s results. By using other methods like password generators or password managers to create passwords, you will not be giving ChatGPT the ability to share or leak any of your private information. Stay safe when using AI as it continues to use private data to grow more useful and knowledgeable.