Enhancing Your Privacy Settings on AI Apps for a Safer Internet Day

Every February, Safer Internet Day reminds us to take a moment to protect ourselves online. This year’s theme, "AI Aware: Safe, Smart, and in Control," highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in our digital lives. AI-driven apps offer convenience and personalization, but they also collect vast amounts of personal data. Reviewing and strengthening your privacy settings on these apps is essential to keep your information safe.

Where do you start? Understanding why you need to act is always a good first step.

Understanding AI-Driven Apps and Privacy Risks

AI apps use algorithms to analyze your behaviour, preferences, and interactions to provide tailored experiences. Examples include virtual assistants, recommendation engines, smart home devices, and personalized health apps. While these features improve usability, they also require access to sensitive data such as location, contacts, browsing habits, and even biometric information.

Privacy risks include:

• Data over-collection: Apps may collect more information than necessary.

• Data sharing: Personal data can be shared with third parties without clear consent.

• Data breaches: Stored data can be vulnerable to hacking.

• Profiling: AI can create detailed profiles that affect your online experience and opportunities.

  
  

Being aware of these risks helps you make informed decisions about which apps to trust and how to configure them.

How to Review Privacy Settings on AI Apps

Start by identifying the AI apps you use regularly. These might include voice assistants like Siri or Alexa, fitness trackers, social media platforms with AI features, or AI-powered photo editors.

Steps to review settings:

• Open the app’s privacy or settings menu: Look for sections labeled “Privacy,” “Security,” or “Data.”

• Check permissions: See what data the app accesses, such as camera, microphone, location, or contacts.

• Adjust data sharing preferences: Disable options that share your data with third parties or for marketing.

• Review account settings: Some apps allow you to control how your data is used for personalization.

• Look for data download or deletion options: Many apps now let you download your data or delete your account entirely.

  
  

For example, in a voice assistant app, you might find an option to turn off voice recording storage or limit access to your contacts.

Practical Tips to Strengthen Your Privacy

Beyond reviewing settings, here are actionable tips to protect your data on AI apps:

• Limit permissions: Only grant access to data necessary for the app’s core functions.

• Use strong, unique passwords: Protect your accounts with complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

• Regularly update apps: Developers release updates to fix security vulnerabilities.

• Disable unnecessary features: Turn off AI features that you do not use or trust.

• Be cautious with third-party integrations: Avoid linking apps to services that may compromise your data.

• Clear app data periodically: Remove stored data and cache to reduce tracking.

• Read privacy policies: Understand how your data is collected, used, and shared.

  
  
  
  

Reviewing privacy settings on an AI app

Reviewing privacy settings on an AI app helps you control what data is shared.

Examples of Privacy Settings in Popular AI Apps

Here are some examples of how to adjust privacy settings in common AI-driven apps:

Virtual Assistants (e.g., Google Assistant, Alexa)

• Disable voice recording storage or delete past recordings.

• Turn off personalized ads based on your voice data.

• Limit access to contacts and calendar.

  
  

Social Media Platforms with AI Features

• Turn off facial recognition.

• Control ad preferences to limit data used for targeting.

• Manage who can see your activity and profile information.

  
  

Health and Fitness Apps

• Restrict location tracking to only when the app is in use.

• Avoid sharing health data with third parties.

• Use app-specific passcodes or biometric locks.

  
  
  
  

Staying Informed and Proactive

AI technology evolves quickly, and so do privacy risks. Staying informed about updates and new features in your apps is crucial. Subscribe to official app newsletters or follow trusted tech news sources to learn about changes that may affect your privacy.

Also, consider using privacy-focused tools such as VPNs, encrypted messaging apps, and browser extensions that block trackers. These tools add extra layers of protection beyond app settings.

Final Thoughts on Protecting Your Privacy on AI Apps

Taking time on Safer Internet Day to review and strengthen your privacy settings on AI-driven apps puts you in control of your personal data. By understanding the data these apps collect and adjusting permissions thoughtfully, you reduce the risk of unwanted data exposure.