ChatGPT is quickly becoming one of the most useful tools on the internet. People ask it for everything from recipes to life advice. But like any powerful tool, there are a few things you should think twice about sharing with it.
Personal Information
This might seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes we forget that ChatGPT – or, as I like to call her, Chappy, is just a tool.
She’s not your best buddy, although it sometimes feels like she is. And she’s not a private journal – although you can use her as one if you like. At the end of the day, she’s simply a tool. A guide, if you will.
She will help you find a recipe – although use common sense when following her instructions – she’s a machine, not a chef! (Speaking from experience here…)
She’s also great for the everyday questions we all have: like where to find the right insurance company, which bank has the best interest rates, or where to pay your electricity bill. She’s great with finding stuff you need, but in your excitement at discovering this miracle of the modern age, don’t get so carried away that you give her any personal details. No passport numbers. No addresses. No bank details.
Passwords and Login Details
If you’re like me (or at least like I used to be, I hasten to add!), you might copy and paste passwords, login details, etc. just to make life easier. After all, remembering eight numbers, letters and special characters in a row is nobody’s idea of fun. But your private information should always stay private.
People sometimes paste things into ChatGPT without thinking, especially when they’re asking for help with technology. It’s worth pausing for a moment and being aware of what you’re pasting. ChatGPT is a public tool – you and I might not understand how hacking works, or why even someone would want to steal “little old me’s” information, but they’re out there.
The clever sods who clone your credit card and buy pizzas.
Be careful out there!!
Financial Information
This might seem a bit self-explanatory, and people who are familiar with the internet might think it’s a bit silly to even mention it. Unfortunately, there are still millions of people out there who don’t realise just how real the risk of hacking actually is.
Now I’ve terrified you, let’s tone it down a notch.
You might want ChatGPT to help you read a financial statement or decipher an impossible-to-understand legal document — and that is a perfectly good use of ChatGPT. However, never, ever, ever include any personal details in the documents you ask ChatGPT to help you with.
It’s much safer to remove or black out any identifying details first.
Instead of sharing real numbers, you can simply say something like:
“Example: A credit card statement shows three charges: $50, $120 and $25…”
That way you still get the help you need, without exposing anything private.
A good rule of thumb is this:
If you wouldn’t post it on Facebook, don’t paste it into ChatGPT.
Confidential Work Information
This is especially important if you use ChatGPT for work.
It’s absolutely brilliant for things like writing emails, brainstorming ideas, summarising documents, helping you structure a presentation, or even preparing for a job interview. Many people now use ChatGPT as a kind of thinking partner when they’re working through a problem.
However, it’s important to remember that ChatGPT should never be given confidential company information.
That includes things like:
• Client lists
• Internal reports
• Sales figures
• Employee details
• Contracts or private documents
Many companies now have strict policies about using AI tools for exactly this reason.
A safer approach is to generalise the information you share.
For example, instead of saying:
“Here is our company’s client database — what do you think?”
You could say:
“Imagine a company with around 200 clients in the retail industry. What would be the best way to organise and manage that data?”
You’ll still get useful advice, but without exposing any sensitive information.
Final Thoughts
ChatGPT really is one of the most fascinating tools to appear on the internet in years — may I be so bold as to suggest ever?
Used properly, it can help you learn faster, solve problems, write better, and even spark ideas you might never have thought of on your own.
But like any powerful tool, a little common sense goes a long way.
Think of ChatGPT as a very clever assistant — one who can help you research, think things through, and explore new ideas.
Just remember: curiosity is wonderful, but a little caution is wise too.
And if you ever feel unsure about sharing something online, it’s usually best to not.
There is a general feeling that AI or ChatGPT can be dangerous because we simply Google things or ask ChatGPT — and yes, it could be. However, just think about how much knowledge you now have literally at your fingertips.
Once a question is asked, you suddenly have access to the answer.
Clever, hey?