Simple tips for protecting your privacy with AI and smart technology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming omnipresent in our daily lives, seamlessly integrating into everything from voice-activated assistants to smart home appliances. This week, Apple unveiled a raft of new AI features for its phones, prompting Elon Musk to warn that they could constitute "an unacceptable security violation."

Last month, Microsoft sparked further security concerns by announcing a feature that captures screenshots of users' laptops every few seconds.

With this technological tide sweeping through our homes and pockets, it's only natural to worry about privacy and the use of our personal data. "Technology is brilliant, but it requires trust," says Vonny Gamot, the head of EMEA at cybersecurity firm McAfee.

She elaborates, "Without trust in technology, we'd still be walking instead of driving, we wouldn't have landed on the moon, and we wouldn't be using computers."

What truly worries her is the potential for misuse. "AI is just a tool," she explains. "But in the hands of bad actors, it can be used to create scams or collect data you're not willing to share."

It's not just scammers who want our information. While advertisers have long sought to understand our behaviours, the data we share now also fuels AI training.

If you're concerned about your data and privacy, here are some straightforward steps from AI and cybersecurity experts to protect yourself:

Scrutinise Your Phone Settings

"The top priority is to check where your data is going," advises Ms Gamot.

Start with your phone settings.

"Go to your settings, find 'mic,' and see which apps are using it. Does your map app really need microphone access? Probably not." Review the apps that have permission to access your camera, microphone, files, and location, ensuring you only share data with trusted apps. Ms Gamot is particularly concerned about apps accessing microphones without users' awareness.

"Just three seconds of recording can be enough for a bad actor to clone your voice," she cautions. Pay close attention to what you agree to while browsing online.

Conor McCaffrey from Securiti Sciences Limited, an AI data security company, adds, "Always read cookie consent forms to understand which organisation is collecting your data and their intentions."

You don't have to hit 'accept' indiscriminately – you can choose specific permissions or reject them altogether.

This vigilance is crucial when uploading content such as photos to websites. By sharing, you might inadvertently relinquish your rights, so always check the terms.

Question the Necessity of Information

"Companies are relentless data collectors," says Ms Gamot.

"When signing up for a website or service, consider how much information you really need to provide."

"These businesses collect data to sell it. Whether it's yours, your grandmother's, or your friends', data has a price."

Think critically about the information you're sharing. Providing an address for a delivery makes sense, but in many other situations, it might be unnecessary.

"Ensure that the information you give out is truly necessary – your email, address, age, or passport number might not always be relevant."

Evaluate the Value Exchange

Finally, consider whether an app's benefits are worth the data you're handing over.

"Understand that your data is extremely valuable," says Mr McCaffrey. "That's the main currency these organisations trade in."

He highlights the caution needed with free apps, particularly games. Although they're free, the real cost might be your personal data.

"I steer clear of random game apps because they often siphon data from my phone and sell it," Mr McCaffrey notes.

"These games can be entertaining, but is a few minutes of amusement worth giving away your date of birth or other sensitive information?"