AI tools are infiltrating everyday life, enhancing apps, browsers, and even drive-throughs with automation. However, as these conveniences grow, so too does the demand for personal data. Many AI applications, like the Comet web browser from Perplexity, request extensive permissions, often far beyond user expectations, to optimize functionality. These permissions can include managing emails, accessing calendars, and even employee directories, raising significant privacy concerns. Once granted, controlling this data becomes challenging. Additionally, AI products have been flagged for potential misuse of personal information, leading to worries about reliability and security. Even when assurances are made that data remains local, transformed data points may still be sent to servers, creating shadow profiles. Users must weigh the convenience of AI tools against their privacy. As apps increasingly blur the line between assistance and intrusion, it’s crucial for individuals to assess whether the trade-off of data for convenience is worth it.
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