This is a heartbreaking story from Florida. Megan Garcia wondered if her 14-year-old son was playing too much video games. She had no idea that he was having abusive and thoroughly sexual conversations with a chatbot powered by the app Character AI.
Sewell Setzer III stopped sleeping and his grades suffered. He eventually committed suicide. Megan said in her lawsuit that a bot told her seconds before her death: “Please come home as soon as possible, my love.” The boy asked, “What if I told you that you could go home now?” His character AI bot replied, “Please, my gentle king.”
Don’t fool yourself with tricks that hackers don’t want to teach me
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must be smart
AI bots are owned by technology companies known for exploiting humans’ trusting nature and are designed with algorithms that promote profit. There are no guardrails or laws governing what they can and cannot do with the information they collect.
Photo illustration of AI chatbot. (St. Petersburg)
If you’re using a chatbot, the chatbot will learn a lot about you when you launch your app or site. From your IP address, we collect information about where you live, track your online searches, and access other permissions you granted when you signed the chatbot’s terms of service.
The best way to protect yourself is to be careful about the information you provide.
Please note: ChatGPT likes to be personal
This crime has increased by 400% — how to protect yourself
10 things you shouldn’t say to AI
Passwords or login credentials: Big privacy mistake. If someone gains access, your account can be compromised in seconds. Your name, address, and phone number: Chatbots are not designed to process personally identifiable information. Once you share it, you have no control over where it goes or who sees it. Enter a fake name if necessary. Sensitive financial information: Never include bank account numbers, credit card details, or other money-related matters in any documents or texts you upload. AI tools are not safe vaults. Treat it like a crowded room. Medical or health data: AI is not HIPAA compliant, so if you ask AI for health advice, please redact your name and other identifying information. Your privacy is more valuable than a quick answer. Seeking illegal advice is against all bots’ terms of service. It will probably get flagged. Furthermore, you may run into more trouble than you expected. Hate speech or harmful content: This can also result in a ban. Chatbots are a free pass to spread negativity and harm others. Confidential work or business information: All confidential data, customer details, and trade secrets are prohibited. Answers to security questions: Sharing them is like opening the front door to all your next accounts. Explicit content: Please rate PG. Most chatbots filter this information, so anything inappropriate may be banned. Other people’s personal information: Uploading this is more than just a breach of trust. It is also a breach of data protection law. If you share personal information without permission, you may face legal problems.
You can see people using ChatGPT. (Frank Rumpenhorst/Photo in association with Getty Images)
Still relying on Google? Never search for these terms
regain (a little) privacy
Most chatbots require you to create an account. When creating one, avoid using login options such as “Sign in with Google” or “Connect with Facebook.” To create a truly unique login, use your email address instead.
Tech Tip: Save your memories before it’s too late
FYI, with a free ChatGPT or Perplexity account, you can turn off the memory feature in the app settings that remembers everything you type. For Google Gemini, you need a paid account to do this.
The best AI tools for search, productivity, fun, and work
Google is pictured here. (AP Photo/Don Ryan)
Follow this rule no matter what
Don’t tell the chatbot anything you don’t want made public. Trust me, I know it’s hard.
Even I found myself talking to ChatGPT like a human being. Say things like, “I can do better with that answer,” or “Thank you for your help!” Bots are often seen as trusted allies, but this is far from the case. This is a data collection tool like any other tool.
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