Protect Privacy When Using AI Chat
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What you will learn
- 1Identify which personal information is safe to share and which must stay private
- 2Explain how AI chat tools store and use the data we type
- 3Match privacy risks to protective actions
Mini Lesson
When you and a grown-up use an AI chat tool like ChatGPT, everything you type may be stored by the company running the AI. This means it is important to protect your privacy and never share information that could identify you or put you in danger.
What Is Personal Information?
- Personal information is any detail that can identify you as a specific person.
- Examples include your full name, home address, phone number, birthday, and passwords.
- Even less obvious details — like your daily routine or the places you visit — can be used to identify you.
Safe Information to Share with AI
- General topics you are studying, such as a lesson subject or hobby.
- Fictional questions or creative writing prompts.
- Questions about science, history, or any educational topic without personal details.
- Your first name alone is usually okay, but you never have to share it.
Private Information to Protect
- Your full name, home address, phone number, or email address.
- Your sports team, club, or coach's name.
- Passwords or login details for any account.
- Photos, location data, or details about where you go daily.
- Family members' names or financial information.
How AI Chat Tools Store Data
- AI companies may store your chat history to improve their models.
- Stored conversations could be accessed by company employees in some circumstances.
- You should assume that anything you type into an AI tool might be read by others, and public WiFi (like at a cafe) is less safe than your trusted home network.
- Many tools offer options to delete your chat history — ask a grown-up to help you use them.
Words to know
privacy
The right to keep personal information safe and under your control.
personal information
Details that can identify a specific person, such as their name, address, or phone number.
data
Information, especially when stored or processed by a computer.
risk
The possibility of harm or danger resulting from an action.
consent
Permission given for something to happen, especially related to sharing your information.
digital footprint
The record of everything you do online, including what you type into AI tools.
Tip: Before typing something into an AI chat, ask yourself: "Would I be comfortable if my parents and family could read this?"
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