Protecting Your Digital Footprint: How AI Is Shaping Privacy and Security Concerns

By: Adeola Abioye

As we celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s crucial to address a growing concern in the digital age: protecting your privacy in an AI-driven world. While AI offers incredible benefits—streamlining processes, enhancing user experiences, and even predicting cybersecurity threats—it also amplifies risks, particularly when it comes to personal privacy.

One of the main ways AI impacts privacy is through the vast amounts of data it collects and processes. AI systems often require large datasets to function effectively, and this data can include personal information like browsing habits, location, purchase history, and even biometric details. With so much data being generated, the risk of that information being exposed or misused is higher than ever before.

For instance, AI systems in social media platforms can analyze user behavior to target ads with pinpoint precision. While this may seem harmless, it raises significant privacy concerns. The more data these systems collect, the more vulnerable users are to data breaches or unauthorized access. Furthermore, AI can be used to create highly convincing deepfakes, where attackers manipulate images or videos of individuals for malicious purposes—whether to deceive, defraud, or blackmail.

In the context of AI, it’s not just large organizations at risk—individuals need to take proactive steps to protect their digital footprint.

Here are a few strategies:

Limit the data you share: Be mindful of the information you share online. Many apps and platforms ask for more data than they need, so take a moment to review the permissions you grant.
Use privacy settings: Platforms like social media have built-in privacy settings that allow you to control who sees your data. Familiarize yourself with these tools and configure them to protect your information.
Encrypt your communications: Whether it’s email, messaging apps, or cloud storage, encryption can help ensure that your data remains private, even if it falls into the wrong hands.
Watch out for deepfakes: Be cautious of video or audio content that seems out of character or too good to be true. AI can generate highly realistic fake content, so it’s essential to verify sources and question suspicious material.

AI’s growing role in everyday applications means we need to be increasingly vigilant about our digital privacy. However, by understanding how AI works and taking advantage of privacy tools, we can better control our data and protect ourselves from emerging threats. Cybersecurity awareness is more than just a buzzword; it’s an ongoing commitment to safeguarding our personal information in an AI-enhanced world.

As we continue to embrace AI, let’s not forget that privacy and security must evolve alongside these technological advances. Let’s take charge of our digital footprint, ensuring we remain safe and secure in the age of AI.

About Adeola Abioye

Adeola Abioye is a first-year Master’s student in Information Systems Security Management at Concordia University of Edmonton. She is an active member of the ISACA Student Group and has a strong interest in cybersecurity, along with a passion for AI.