Data Privacy Issues in a Modern AI World: How Free VPN Can Protect Your Data - Technology Org | By The Digital Insider

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining popularity in today’s digital age and has completely changed the way we live and work. However, the rise of AI brings serious issues over data privacy in addition to its advantages. The increasing usage of AI technology calls for addressing data privacy concerns and developing workable solutions.


Working with laptops in an office - illustrative photo.

Working with laptops in an office – illustrative photo. Image credit: charlesdeluvio via Unsplash, free license


Before we get to the data privacy issues associated with AI, it’s important to note that a free VPN can safeguard your personal information. A virtual private network encrypts internet traffic and protects your online identity by hiding your information. This is especially relevant when using AI apps on public Wi-Fi networks as these connections are less secure.


A free VPN hides your IP address and lets you surf the internet anonymously by directing your traffic through secure servers. Additionally, a VPN can establish a secure tunnel between your device and the AI service provider while utilizing AI applications that need access to personal data, guaranteeing that data is encrypted and safe even while it is being transmitted.


Coding, software development - associative photo.

Coding, software development – associative photo. Image credit: Pxfuel, free license


The Rise of AI: A Statistical Outlook


Artificial Intelligence has grown impressively and the AI market is expected to reach $407 billion by 2027, according to Forbes. Dartner’s survey from 2019 says that 37% of organizations have already implemented AI in some form and according to Forbes Advisor 2023 data, 97% of business owners believe that ChatGPT will benefit their businesses. Applications powered by AI can process enormous volumes of data, giving businesses the ability to obtain insightful information and make wise decisions.


However, this rapid rise in AI adoption also raises doubts regarding data privacy. As AI relies on vast datasets for training and inference, the collection, storage, and analysis of personal information become a critical focus. 


Data Privacy Issues in the AI Era


The exponential growth of AI and the reliance on personal data introduce several data privacy challenges:



  1. Unauthorized access, breaches, and invasive data collection.


Massive volumes of personal data are continuously being gathered, saved, and examined thanks to AI technology. AI-enabled edge devices, including cameras and smart speakers, frequently gather data without the consumers’ express permission. These gadgets are always listening and recording, which increases the risk of collecting private information and breaching privacy. There is a serious risk to personal privacy from potential data breaches and illegal access. For example, a weakness in an AI-driven application resulted in the compromise of 100 million client records in a data breach that occurred at Capital One in 2019.



  1. Lack of transparency and explainability.


AI algorithms often work as black boxes, making it challenging to understand the inner workings and decision-making process. This lack of transparency can raise concerns over bias, discrimination, and unfair decision-making, impacting individuals’ privacy and potentially perpetuating social inequalities. AI algorithms can inadvertently reinforce societal biases, impacting hiring decisions, loan approvals, and other critical areas of life, perpetuating inequality.



  1. Sensitive information prediction.


Through AI-powered analytics, companies can predict sensitive information such as political affiliation, sexual orientation, or mental health conditions. The unauthorized use of such private information can have severe consequences for individuals and societal trust.



  1. Cross-domain data aggregation.


AI systems often rely on data from various sources and domains to improve their performance and accuracy. While this data aggregation can deliver valuable insights, it also exposes privacy risks. Sensitive information from one domain may inadvertently get linked with another, compromising individual privacy and raising concerns over data ownership and consent.


It is important to balance the incredible opportunities opened by AI with the preservation of personal data.


Cybersecurity - artistic impression.

Cybersecurity – artistic impression. Image credit: Fernando Arcos via Pexels, free license


Ways to Improve Data Privacy in a Modern AI World Era


Implementing robust strategies and solutions is critical to meeting the data protection challenges of today’s AI world. Here are some steps to improve data privacy that should be taken by AI developers:



  1.   Data minimization. Only the necessary information should be collected. For AI applications, this means collecting data that is essential for the intended purpose and nothing more.

  2. Privacy by design. Privacy should be integrated into the development of AI systems right from the start. Privacy by Design frameworks, such as those outlined by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), promote embedding privacy considerations into all layers of AI systems’ architecture.

  3. Encryption techniques. Utilize robust encryption techniques to safeguard data at all stages. End-to-end encryption ensures that even if data is intercepted, unapproved parties cannot read it.

  4. Robust data governance. Organizations must establish comprehensive data governance frameworks. This includes strong data protection policies, informed consent practices, and encryption methods to safeguard sensitive data throughout its lifecycle. Compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can also enhance data privacy in the AI landscape.

  5. Transparency and Explainability: Developers should focus on creating AI models that provide clear reasoning behind their decisions. Explainable AI methods, such as interpretable machine learning algorithms, can help ensure accountability and mitigate prejudices in decision-making processes.


However, all the above-mentioned points could answer privacy issues and increase the level of trust to AI, it seems like in a highly competitive market no one aims to open decision-making algorithms and minimize data collection. Empowering individuals to protect their own data privacy is essential under these conditions.


Here are some additional points each person can take to safeguard personal data:



  • Strengthen passwords and two-factor authentication. Create strong passwords for each of your online accounts. It is one of the easiest and most effective, ways to improve data privacy. Mix characters, digits, and symbols; make it impossible to deduce. Additionally, turn on two-factor authentication wherever it is possible.

  • Virtual private network. Start with a free VPN download on each new device. It will help you to keep online privacy by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address.

  • Regularly update software and apps. Keep your devices and apps up to date. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities, helping to protect your data from potential threats.

  • Be cautious with personal information sharing. Think twice before sharing personal information online. Your social media networks are a gold mine for data collectors. We suggest you review your privacy settings and reduce the amount of information you share with the public.

  • Read privacy policies. It is simple, you should read the privacy policy before you tick the box “I have read and agreed…” I might be surprised by how much information your apps, especially social media, collect.


By taking these proactive steps, individuals can significantly bolster their data privacy in an AI-driven world. It is difficult but not impossible to maintain control over your personal information. I really can enjoy the benefits of the digital age with confidence.


New challenges will appear along with opportunities. We can overcome these calls only with the joint efforts of businesses, governments, and individuals. We cannot ignore data privacy even the benefits of AI are undeniable. By being careful about data collection, employing encryption, and making informed decisions about the technology we use, we can navigate the AI landscape with confidence. 


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