Cybersecurity firm ESET has sounded the alarm on the privacy risks associated with the daily use of ChatGPT. Mario Micucci, security research investigator at ESET Latin America, debunks the idea that conversations with this AI disappear when the session is closed. In reality, each message you send goes through a process that exposes your information in unexpected ways.
The cycle of your data in AI platforms
Data entered in ChatGPT follows three key steps: first, it is stored in servers to preserve the conversational history. Second, it can feed the training of new AI models. Third, anonymized fragments reach human reviewers who evaluate the quality of the responses. This flow, although useful for improving the service, generates serious privacy risks.
Privacy risks: From confidentiality to cyber theft
One of the most serious dangers is entering sensitive data such as business plans, passwords, customer information, or private source code. These elements, once shared, could be reused in future AI models. ESET emphasizes that cybercriminals lurk in these platforms: in 2024, over 225,000 ChatGPT credentials were detected for sale on the dark web, stolen by specialized malware.
Historical context and verified data
Since its launch in 2022, ChatGPT has processed billions of interactions, according to reports from OpenAI. Past incidents, such as breaches in 2023 that exposed user histories, reinforce these privacy risks. Experts from the Electronic Frontier Foundation agree: 40% of companies fear IP data leaks when using generative AI, per Gartner statistics updated to 2025.
How to mitigate privacy risks in ChatGPT
- Avoid sensitive data; anonymize before consulting.
- Use robust passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Review settings in ChatGPT and Gemini: disable history and training use.
These simple measures reduce exposure. ESET insists on educating users and companies to navigate the AI era without compromising security. In a world where privacy risks like these grow, protecting your data in ChatGPT is not optional, but essential.
