Have you noticed the rise of AI in the last few months? From ChatGPT to Dall-e and GTP4, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly advanced. One of the most popular AI apps to hit the market is Lensa AI, which generates fantasy selfies of you based on your facial features. While it may seem like harmless fun, there are some concerns about data privacy.
Data Privacy
When you download Lensa AI, it can track your phone activity and collect a lot of different data points, some of which are linked to you personally. Additionally, the app’s terms and conditions state that it can use, reproduce, modify, and distribute your user content for the sole purpose of operating the app. This leaves a lot of grey area when it comes to what the company can do with your images.
Lensa AI scours your device for a lot of different data points. By downloading it, you permit it to do this. Some of the tracking links to you personally (such as linked to your name, IP address, or phone number). It collects a lot of other data, but not with your name or another identifier on it.
Data collected and linked to you:
- User content (such as the images you upload)
Data collected, but not linked to you:
- Purchases you make on websites or apps
- Usage data for apps, etc.
- Identifiers (this isn’t specified, but could mean things like city or gender)
- Diagnostics from your device
Loss of Rights to Your Uploaded Images
What apps like Lensa AI do with your data is a grey area. Many tech companies, such as Facebook, have been known to act irresponsibly with user data. Many are purposely vague in their terms and conditions, leaving the door open.
One section from the Lensa AI Terms that users agree to states the following:
“…solely for the purposes of operating or improving Lensa, you grant us a time-limited, revocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully-paid, transferable, sub-licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, create derivative works of your User Content, without any additional compensation to you…”
For the sole purpose of “operating” Lensa, could mean anything. It could mean that to make more money to operate the business, the company needs to use your images. Note that it also states it can modify, distribute, etc. YOUR user content.
How to stay safe
To protect your data privacy, it’s important to read app terms and conditions before downloading and restrict data collection where possible. You can also contact the company to request that it delete your data from its servers. If you’re concerned about your device privacy, consider scheduling a device privacy checkup with a professional. While AI apps may be fun, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your data.
Things You Can Do to Protect Your Data Privacy
It’s not just Lensa AI that raises data privacy concerns. Many apps and software developers collect and use your data, sometimes without your knowledge or consent. That’s why it’s important to be vigilant and informed about the apps you use and the data they collect.
Don’t Immediately Jump on Every Fad
This one may be hard when you see all your friends using a new app. It’s natural to want to be a part of that. But try waiting a week. Most likely those avatar images from the latest selfie app won’t be blowing up your feed anymore.
Read App Terms & Conditions
Take the time to read an app’s terms. You are often giving up more data privacy rights than you realize. This includes giving an app the ability to track just about everything you do on your device. Be aware of what’s at risk before you download a new app.
Restrict Data Collection
If you can’t resist an app’s charms, at least make it as secure as possible. This includes taking the time to restrict its data collection features, where possible.
Use your phone’s privacy and security settings to turn off data sharing. For the Lensa AI app, you can also contact the company to request that it delete your data from its servers. Its privacy policy states to email privacy@lensa-ai.com for questions and concerns.
Get a Device Privacy Checkup
The more apps you use, the more complicated data privacy can get. Don’t leave it to chance. We’ll be happy to help. Give us a call today to schedule a device privacy checkup.
Don’t Immediately Jump on Every Fad
This one may be hard when you see all your friends using a new app. It’s natural to want to be a part of that. But try waiting a week. Most likely those avatar images from the latest selfie app won’t be blowing up your feed anymore.
Read App Terms & Conditions
Yep, I know this is really boring, I mean who really has the time to read the terms and conditions for anything. However, we advise you to take the time to read an app’s terms. You are often giving up more data privacy rights than you realize. This includes giving an app the ability to track just about everything you do on your device. Be aware of what’s at risk before you download a new app.
Restrict Data Collection
If you can’t resist an app’s charms, at least make it as secure as possible. This includes taking the time to restrict its data collection features, where possible.
Use your phone’s privacy and security settings to turn off data sharing. For the Lensa AI app, you can also contact the company to request that it delete your data from its servers. Its privacy policy states to email privacy@lensa-ai.com for questions and concerns.
Get a Device Privacy Checkup
The more apps you use, the more complicated data privacy can get. Don’t leave it to chance. We’ll be happy to help. Give us a call today to schedule a device privacy checkup.
The Future of AI and Data Privacy
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. AI technology has the potential to revolutionize many industries, from healthcare to transportation. It can help us make more informed decisions and improve our lives in countless ways. The key is to find a balance between the benefits of AI and the protection of our data privacy.
As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s important to stay informed and engaged in the conversation about data privacy. By doing so, we can help shape the future of AI in a way that benefits us all.
One way to stay informed about AI and data privacy is to follow industry news and developments. There are many resources available online, such as tech blogs and news sites, that cover the latest advancements in AI and data privacy. You can also attend conferences and events focused on these topics to learn from experts and network with others in the industry.
Another way to protect your data privacy is to be mindful of the apps you use and the data they collect. Before downloading an app, take the time to read its terms and conditions and understand what data it collects and how it’s used. You can also adjust your phone’s privacy and security settings to restrict data sharing and protect your personal information.
Finally, it’s important to advocate for stronger data privacy laws and regulations. By speaking out and contacting your elected officials, you can help ensure that companies are held accountable for how they collect and use your data. Together, we can create a future where AI and data privacy coexist in a way that benefits everyone.