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With a simple voice command, many people have access to the features of an AI virtual assistant. A main concern about these AI assistants is the concern about privacy. Most modern phones already have virtual assistants built into them. It is becoming more common to see homes fully equipped with virtual assistant technology. Offices even have digital assistants to perform basic secretarial tasks. With these devices constantly listening in, how can we keep our personal information safe? Here are some ways you can work with your device to make sure your information stays private.
The Concern
AI assistants are becoming more advanced and more prominent in everyday life, which is why personal privacy is being raised as a concern. Virtual assistants can be helpful and make life easier, but at the cost of holding onto your information. Home AI technology can now recognize different voices in the house and respond accordingly. Office digital assistants are taking the role of secretaries by accurately writing out emails based on the user’s voice commands. AI technology is increasing rapidly, connecting our devices from iPhones to the LG watch. These forms of digital technology can be great, but at the cost of some of our personal privacy.
Privacy Settings
The first thing you should do is utilize the privacy settings related to your AI assistant. Whether it is the personal assistant on your phone or your home device, you can change the settings to increase or decrease your privacy. Typically the assistant will listen for prompting words before it starts to record. This prompting method will remain the same, but you can look into the settings the change how frequently this information is stored to the device. There are several settings that you can work with on your device to make sure your information is kept private.
Use A “Dummy” Email For Your AI Device
Utilizing a different “dummy” email for your device may work as a great way to keep your privacy. However, this may or may not work with certain devices. For example, a different email may not be helpful for your phone since it is likely connected to your personal email already. On the other hand, if you set up a AI virtual assistants in your office or home, you may want to register with a “dummy” email address to keep your personal information away from the AI’s knowledge. When you set up an AI with your personal email, the assistant is built with the technology to dip into any past information that has been stored or sent through your email, if so prompted. This is why a “dummy” email may be helpful in keeping some of your information from the AI.
Choose Not To Pair With Other Devices
Another way you can ensure your privacy is to make sure your AI does not pair with other devices. Oftentimes your device’s setup includes an option to pair with other local or home devices, such as television, a printer or other phones. Therefore, the device can monitor these interactions, and the AI can pick up on this. If you want to increase your privacy, you can pick the option to not pair with other devices.
Turning Off The Device
Many people find it a hassle to turn off their devices, but it is a surefire way the AI virtual assistants will not store your information. If your device is powered off, your privacy concern is eliminated. This is one way that makes the user absolutely sure that their information is not being stored. If you really do not want the AI to store any of your information, turning off your device is the easiest way to do so.
AI virtual assistants can be great, but there is a lot of information the AI is keeping. Recent privacy concerns have been raised as the Apple Watch sales continue to rise. Based on that, we do have the ability to work around the information-storing abilities of these devices. You just need to know where to start when it comes to your personal privacy.
