AI chatbots are trained on vast amounts of textual data. This data includes billions of examples of conversations, articles, and information sourced from the web. Deep learning, the core of these models, feeds on this data to develop interaction and understanding capabilities. This process, while essential to improving chatbots, raises crucial questions about the privacy of the information included. The protection of this data is therefore essential.
The collection of your data, an invisible process
Your interactions with AI chatbots are not anonymous. Every request, every dialogue, every word is potentially used to refine algorithms. Simply using these tools involves a form of data sharing, sometimes without you being truly aware of the process. The degree of collection and exploitation varies across platforms. It is important to be aware of this implication.
Some companies position themselves as guardians of your privacy. Take the example of Claude 3.7 from Anthropic. This chatbot has a more transparent approach. The use of your requests for training requires your explicit consent. Others, on the contrary, seem less concerned about this issue. Meta’s approach, with its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is more complex and concerning. Your data is a valuable asset for algorithms, and the process to delete it is often convoluted. It is crucial to understand the privacy policies of each platform.
Mastering the collection: possible levers
Fortunately, there are a few solutions to master the process of collecting your data. For ChatGPT, if you do not have an account, disabling the “Improve the model for all” option in the settings is an essential first step. For users with an account, the OpenAI platform offers a privacy request option. This is a crucial first step to control collection. For professional licenses, exchanges are often excluded from the training process.
Approaches vary from one platform to another. For example, HuggingChat, an open-source chatbot, promises total privacy thanks to a design that integrates the principle of “Privacy by Design.” This means that privacy is built in from the creation of the tool. In contrast, some tools, like Microsoft’s Copilot, do not offer the ability to opt out as an individual user. Your personal data is used for model training, even if you are an ordinary user.
The question of responsibility
Responsibility is shared between users and developers of the platforms. Users must be aware of the consequences of using these tools. It is crucial to take the time to read the terms of use and privacy policies. Developers have an obligation to adopt transparent policies and provide control mechanisms. The Mozilla Foundation, for example, plays an important role in reminding good practices and privacy concerns.
The use of AI chatbots is constantly evolving. Respect for privacy will be crucial for this technology to develop in a responsible and positive direction for all users. The exchanges between users and chatbots must be accompanied by an awareness of the role of data in the learning process.
