Watchdog offers AI chatbot users guidance on how to protect personal data

Hongkongers are urged to use a fake name when using artificial intelligence chatbots, the data privacy watchdog suggested, as it called on people to take greater care of their personal information when using AI tools.

The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has noted a recent survey that found nearly 80 percent of youngsters in Hong Kong have used generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT.

Youth IDEAS, under the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups' Youth Research Centre, gathered responses from a comprehensive 558 online questionnaire responses between June and July from people aged 15 to 34 .

The study found that over 78 percent of respondents have used generative AI tools in the past six months, and 10 percent of them used the tools frequently.

In response to the rising popularity of AI chatbots, the privacy watchdog published a leaflet to provide tips on protecting personal data when using AI tools.

"As AI chatbots become more prevalent in our daily lives, it is crucial that users know how to safeguard their own personal data privacy in the use of these tools," Privacy Commissioner Ada Chung Lai-ling said.

The privacy watchdog recommended that people should pay attention to the privacy policy and terms of use, as well as the website's authenticity before registering.

Users should adjust the settings to opt out of sharing chat history, to avoid the chat data being stored or used for training.

To safeguard from cybersecurity threats, the watchdog recommends people to refrain from sharing personal data when interacting with chatbots and to delete outdated conversations to reduce the risk of data leakage.

"Teachers and parents should provide guidance to students when they are interacting with AI chatbots," the watchdog said.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung wrote on Facebook after attending the International Symposium on Cyber Policing, hosted by Hong Kong Police Force, that law enforcement agencies are working hard to combat cybercrimes.

Tang said cybercrimes and cyberattacks have significantly increased in recent years, with scammers now using AI tools to impersonate victims' friends and family to commit fraud.

The law enforcement agencies will "work closely with the international community to maintain cybersecurity, while citizens should stay vigilant and report to police immediately when receiving suspicious messages," he said.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com