In today’s digital age, language models like ChatGPT have become increasingly popular across various industries, including the legal field.
However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential risks associated with sharing sensitive or confidential information with ChatGPT, as it may inadvertently expose protected data to the public.
Recent incidents, such as the leaking of top-secret Samsung data, have highlighted the importance of safeguarding IP and privileged information when using ChatGPT. In multiple reported cases, Samsung employees accidentally shared confidential information while seeking assistance from ChatGPT. This serves as a cautionary tale for all users of ChatGPT.
It’s essential to remember that any data shared with ChatGPT is retained and used for model training, as stated by OpenAI. This includes confidential legal documents, medical information, or any other sensitive data that may be used to improve the model.
This raises concerns about data privacy and security, as users may not have control over the retrieval or deletion of shared data, which could potentially violate data protection laws such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Italy has even banned ChatGPT due to concerns about its compliance with GDPR.
However, there is a silver lining. OpenAI offers an API for ChatGPT, which does not use customer data. This provides a more secure alternative for users who want to avoid sharing protected information with the model.
While ChatGPT can be a powerful tool for various tasks, it’s crucial to exercise caution when dealing with IP and privileged information. Avoid sharing sensitive data with ChatGPT and consider using the API as a more secure option. By following best practices for data protection and being vigilant about safeguarding sensitive information, users can mitigate the risks associated with using ChatGPT and ensure that their IP and privileged information remain protected.