Is ChatGPT Safe? 3 Hidden Risks and 5 Pro Tips (July 2023)

ChatGPT, the ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, has taken the digital world by storm. Its rapidly inflating user base and seamless integration into everyday tasks, such as drafting emails, scripting articles, and generating code, make it a fascinating and practical tool. However, as its popularity surges, concerns around its safety and security come into focus. The main question that arises is whether ChatGPT is safe.

This comprehensive guide is here to put these concerns under the microscope, inspecting the potential risks, the security measures implemented by OpenAI, and how you, as a user, can navigate this technology safely.

The creators of ChatGPT 

ChatGPT, which stands for Chat generative pre-trained transformer, is an AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. It was launched on November 30, 2022, and it’s celebrated for enabling users to guide a conversation according to their preferred length, format, style, detail level, and language.

Read more about the creators of ChatGPT and its birth in our extensive blog.

Is ChatGPT safe?

ChatGPT is designed with safety and ethical considerations at its core. Its guidelines strictly forbid engagement in harmful activities or divulging private, sensitive information. While no system is completely infallible, OpenAI constantly updates and improves ChatGPT’s safeguards, incorporating feedback to minimize potential misuse. However, users should remain cautious and responsible, treating sensitive topics with discretion.

The question of ChatGPT’s safety is pretty tricky, and before you make a decision, it’s important to consider a plethora of factors. So let’s dive into them.

Exploring ChatGPT – Image via Unsplash

Delving into the data: What information is collected by ChatGPT? 

To understand the potential risks, we first need to delve into the type of data collected by OpenAI and how it’s used.

Personal information

OpenAI collects users’ data, such as names and email addresses, to provide services, communicate with users, and carry out analytics to enhance the quality of their services. It’s important to note that OpenAI does not sell this data.

Training data and privacy

ChatGPT is trained partially on publicly available data, which may include personal information. OpenAI asserts that it has adopted measures to limit the processing of such information during training, excluding websites with large amounts of personal data.

However, the precise nature of the data ChatGPT is trained on is not entirely clear, and potential conflicts with regional privacy laws remain a concern.

Conversations

Conversations with ChatGPT are typically stored to train future models and troubleshoot issues. While these chats can be reviewed by human trainers, OpenAI emphasizes that it does not sell this training information to third parties. You can opt out of having your content used for training and can request the deletion of your past ChatGPT conversations.

Recover your lost conversations and find an easy fix to the “Conversation Not Found” error on ChatGPT.

Potential pitfalls: Three hidden risks of ChatGPT

Using ChatGPT does come with certain risks. It’s crucial to be aware of these to ensure a safe and secure user experience.

1. Potential misinformation

Like any other AI language model, ChatGPT is based on the data it was trained on. Despite its high-level performance, it can still produce misinformation, primarily for two reasons. 

First, it may have been trained on biased or incorrect data, thereby inheriting these inaccuracies. Secondly, as an AI, it lacks real-world experience and consciousness; it cannot verify the truthfulness of its generated content against the current context outside of its training data.

Impact of this risk on users

This risk could lead to users making decisions or forming opinions based on incorrect information. In critical areas such as health, finance, or legal matters, the consequences could be substantial, leading to physical harm, financial loss, or incorrect legal understanding.

Stay safe out there and explore these amazing ChatGPT alternatives.

2. Privacy concerns

While OpenAI has implemented guidelines to ensure that ChatGPT does not remember personal information shared during interactions, there’s still a level of risk associated with sharing sensitive information with an AI. The possibility of data breaches, inadvertent data storage, or misuse of information exists.

Impact of this risk on users

The impact could range from minor inconveniences to significant issues such as identity theft or financial loss, particularly if this information is mishandled or falls into the wrong hands.

3. Dependence on AI

ChatGPT and similar AI technologies have made our lives easier by automating tasks and providing instant information. However, there is a risk of over-reliance on such technologies. This dependency could lead to a loss of critical thinking skills, decreased human interaction, and a potential loss of privacy.

Impact of this risk on users

Overdependence on AI, like ChatGPT, can lead to a significant shift in human behavior and societal norms. It could impact personal growth, social interactions, and our ability to function without these technologies.

Additionally, excessive reliance on AI for critical decisions can lead to unanticipated consequences if the AI makes a mistake or if there’s a technical failure.

Unleash the power of ChatGPT and ensure the best conversational experience with these top prompts.

Is ChatGPT safe? – Image via Pixabay

Five tips for the safe use of ChatGPT

To ensure safe navigation on ChatGPT, it’s crucial to adopt certain safety measures and best practices.

1. Critical consumption of information

As with all types of information, it’s important to critically evaluate the responses you receive from ChatGPT. Since it can occasionally produce incorrect or outdated information, you should use it as a tool to guide your research or provide suggestions, not as a definitive source of truth.

This is especially crucial for matters related to health, finance, or legal affairs. Use ChatGPT as a starting point, then seek expert advice or refer to reliable sources for confirmation.

2. Protecting personal data

While interacting with ChatGPT, it’s crucial not to share sensitive personal data. Although measures are in place to protect user privacy, it’s always safer to limit the amount of personal information shared.

Simply avoid sharing sensitive data such as credit card details, social security numbers, and personal addresses with ChatGPT. Use it for general inquiries and assistance, not for processing personal transactions or sharing private information.

3. Balanced use of AI

Balance is key when using AI technology. While ChatGPT can be an incredible tool for learning, creativity, and efficiency, avoiding over-reliance and maintaining a balanced perspective on its usage is essential.

You can achieve balance by limiting the tasks you delegate to AI. Ensure to keep practicing your skills and abilities, and don’t hesitate to disconnect from AI occasionally to engage in real-life experiences and interactions.

4. Staying updated with AI developments

AI technology is evolving rapidly, with frequent changes and updates. Staying informed about these developments can help you use AI tools like ChatGPT more effectively and safely.

Regularly check updates from reliable sources like OpenAI’s official website or reputable technology news sites. This can provide you with valuable insights about new features, capabilities, or potential issues associated with AI.

5. Responsible reporting of issues

If you encounter any issues while using ChatGPT, especially concerning misinformation or privacy, it’s important to report these responsibly to the appropriate parties.

Make use of reporting tools or contact channels provided by OpenAI or the platform you’re using ChatGPT on. Provide clear, accurate information about the issue for it to be addressed effectively.

Embark on a conversational adventure with these mind-blowing AI chat tools.

Learning the safe use of ChatGPT – Image via Freepik

Additional risk of hackers

ChatGPT, like any technology, can potentially be misused. For instance, hackers can manipulate it to generate malicious content, such as creating deceptive email messages to infiltrate your computer or bank account.

Moreover, Cybercriminals have reportedly used popular AI systems like ChatGPT and Google Bard to distribute RedLine Stealer malware, leading to the theft of sensitive user data.

Final thoughts

While ChatGPT is undoubtedly a powerful tool, it’s crucial to navigate this technology with caution. OpenAI has implemented robust security measures, but as users, we must also adopt best practices to shield ourselves from potential risks. By understanding the safety measures and staying informed, we can enjoy the benefits of AI technologies like ChatGPT while maintaining our security and privacy.

Remember, the digital landscape is constantly evolving, and as we continue to integrate AI tools into our daily lives, our safety and privacy should always be our top priority.