In one corner of cyberspace, there's a fervent debate about privacy concerns with machine language models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot. Meanwhile, in a far more routine corner of our digital lives, the privacy settings of social media and messaging apps go unnoticed. Isn't that ironic? As an academic and observer of this fascinating digital world, I've always believed that security is a perception, shaped by our awareness of threats and risks. Through this article, I aim to shed light on this irony and promote a more nuanced understanding of our online security.
The Debate Around LMMs
Language machine models, with their sophistication and ability to learn from massive data sets, naturally generate privacy concerns. These concerns are not unfounded, but often they are presented in an almost apocalyptic tone. As we passionately discuss the potential risks of these technologies, I wonder: are we neglecting other equally important aspects of our digital life?
Overlooking the Everyday
In a curious, though perhaps not surprising twist, we tend to ignore the privacy settings of the tools we use every day. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram... these apps store tons of our personal information. Yet, how many of us have recently reviewed our privacy settings or read the privacy policy updates? Here lies the paradox: we fear the new technology while neglecting risks closer to home and more personal.
The Relativity of Information Security
This contrast between fear of the new and complacency towards the familiar reflects an important truth about information security: it's relative. Our perception of risks is colored by what we know, or don't know, about potential threats. This is where the need for a balanced awareness and a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of our digital lives comes in.
Towards Greater Awareness
It's crucial to foster a culture of informed security, where risks are assessed comprehensively and not just based on their technological novelty. It's time to look beyond the surface and delve deeper into understanding all the tools we use, recognizing that each carries its own set of risks.
Our journey through cyberspace is full of ironies. As we navigate, it's essential to maintain a critical eye on both new technologies and our everyday digital practices. Security is not a fixed destination, but a continuous journey of learning and adapting. Let's take responsibility for this journey, educating ourselves and others, and always remember that our perception of security is shaped by our knowledge of risks, whether new or familiar.
Language machine models, with their sophistication and ability to learn from massive data sets, naturally generate privacy concerns. These concerns are not unfounded, but often they are presented in an almost apocalyptic tone. As we passionately discuss the potential risks of these technologies, I wonder: are we neglecting other equally important aspects of our digital life?
Overlooking the Everyday
In a curious, though perhaps not surprising twist, we tend to ignore the privacy settings of the tools we use every day. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram... these apps store tons of our personal information. Yet, how many of us have recently reviewed our privacy settings or read the privacy policy updates? Here lies the paradox: we fear the new technology while neglecting risks closer to home and more personal.
The Relativity of Information Security
This contrast between fear of the new and complacency towards the familiar reflects an important truth about information security: it's relative. Our perception of risks is colored by what we know, or don't know, about potential threats. This is where the need for a balanced awareness and a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of our digital lives comes in.
Towards Greater Awareness
It's crucial to foster a culture of informed security, where risks are assessed comprehensively and not just based on their technological novelty. It's time to look beyond the surface and delve deeper into understanding all the tools we use, recognizing that each carries its own set of risks.
Our journey through cyberspace is full of ironies. As we navigate, it's essential to maintain a critical eye on both new technologies and our everyday digital practices. Security is not a fixed destination, but a continuous journey of learning and adapting. Let's take responsibility for this journey, educating ourselves and others, and always remember that our perception of security is shaped by our knowledge of risks, whether new or familiar.
Author
Dr. Gilberto Crespo is an information security researcher & technology expert. He has been working for more than 24+ years in the information technology industries, cybersecurity, financial, higher education, and life coaching. He is also a motivational and leadership speaker.
