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Four Privacy Risks in Using ChatGPT for Businesses

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Today, many people rely on neural network-based language models like ChatGPT for their jobs. A Kaspersky survey in Russia revealed that 11% of respondents have utilised chatbots, with nearly 30% believing in their potential to replace jobs in the future.

Other surveys indicate that 50% of Belgian office workers and 65% in the UK rely on ChatGPT. Moreover, the prominence of the search term “ChatGPT” in Google Trends suggests a pronounced weekday usage, likely tied to work-related tasks.

However, the growing integration of chatbots in the workplace prompts a crucial question: can they be entrusted with sensitive corporate data? Kaspersky researchers have identified four key risks associated with employing ChatGPT for business purposes.

Data leak or hack on the provider’s side

Although LLM-based chatbots are operated by tech majors, even they are not immune to hacking or accidental leakage. For example, there was an incident in which ChatGPT users were able to see messages from others’ chat histories.

Data leak through chatbots

Theoretically, chats with chatbots might be used to train future models. Considering that LLMs are susceptible to “unintended memorisation,” wherein they remember unique sequences like phone numbers that don’t enhance model quality but pose privacy risks, any data in the training corpus may inadvertently or intentionally be accessed by other users from the model.

Malicious client

This is a big concern in places where official services like ChatGPT are blocked. Users might resort to unofficial alternatives like programs, websites, or messenger bots and download malware disguised as non-existing client or app.

Account hacking

Attackers can get into employee accounts, accessing their data, through phishing attacks or credential stuffing. Moreover, Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence regularly finds posts on dark web forums selling access to chatbot accounts.

Summarising above, data loss is a major privacy concern for both users and businesses when using chatbots. Responsible developers outline how data is used for model training in their privacy policies.

Kaspersky’s analysis of popular chatbots, including ChatGPT, ChatGPT API, Anthropic Claude, Bing Chat, Bing Chat Enterprise, You.com, Google Bard, and Genius App by Alloy Studios, shows that in the B2B sector, there are higher security and privacy standards, given the greater risks of corporate information exposure.

Consequently, the terms and conditions for data usage, collection, storage, and processing are more focused on safeguarding compared to the B2C sector. The B2B solutions in this study typically don’t automatically save chat histories and in some cases, no data is sent to the company’s servers, as the chatbot operates locally in the customer’s network.

“After examining the potential risks tied to using LLM-based chatbots for work purposes, we’ve found that the risk of sensitive data leakage is highest when employees use personal accounts at work.

This makes raising staff awareness of the risks of using chatbots a top priority for companies. On the one hand, employees need to understand what data is confidential or personal, or constitutes a trade secret, and why it must not be fed to a chatbot. On the other, the company must spell out clear rules for using such services, if they are allowed at all,” comments Anna Larkina, security and privacy expert at Kaspersky.

 


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E-Business

Kaspersky Warns of a New Phishing Technique Leveraging Bubble, a no-code AI Platform

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Kaspersky has discovered a new phishing tactic used to evade traditional security controls that exploits Bubble, a platform that allows users to build web and mobile applications through a visual interface without writing code.

Attackers are increasingly adopting innovative tools designed for legitimate software development and repurposing them to boost phishing campaigns.

Traditional phishing attacks often rely on malicious links or obvious redirection techniques, which are typically flagged and blocked by modern security systems.

However, attackers are now leveraging Bubble’s no-code environment to generate intermediary web applications which are hosted on Bubble’s legitimate infrastructure and trusted domains such as *.bubble.io, which improves their credibility and helps them bypass security filters.

These applications function as disguised redirectors, silently forwarding victims to malicious credential-harvesting websites.

In the observed campaign, victims were ultimately redirected to a convincing imitation of a Microsoft login page, protected by a Cloudflare verification layer designed to further obscure malicious intent.

This technique is likely being integrated into broader phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platforms and phishing kits. These kits enable a wide range of malicious capabilities with ready-made tools, including real-time interception of session cookies, driving phishing campaigns through legitimate services such as Google Tasks and Google Forms, and carry out adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) attacks that can bypass multi-factor authentication.

They also support the generation of phishing emails using AI, implement geo-filtering and anti-detection mechanisms to evade security crawlers and are often hosted on reputable cloud services like AWS to avoid blacklisting.

“The use of legitimate platforms like Bubble introduces a new level of trust abuse, making it harder for both users and automated systems to distinguish between safe and malicious content. This significantly increases the likelihood of credential theft, unauthorised access and potential data breaches,” comments Roman Dedenok, Anti-Spam Expert at Kaspersky.

 

 


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NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System

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Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening its digital governance framework as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) officially assumes control of the Nigeria Government Enterprise Architecture (NGEA) infrastructure.

NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System

The handover ceremony held in Abuja, marks the culmination of a high-level partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

This transition signals a shift from fragmented IT projects to a unified, disciplined approach to national digital investment.

The NGEA initiative forms a core part of the e-Government Masterplan 2.0 (Ne-GMP 2.0), aimed at establishing a unified and structured approach to managing government IT investments and digital resources.

The framework is designed to ensure that technology deployment across public institutions aligns with national priorities while improving efficiency and accountability.

With the system now operational, government agencies are expected to adopt more integrated digital processes, allowing seamless data sharing and interoperability.

This is anticipated to reduce duplication, strengthen risk management, and translate policy objectives into measurable digital outcomes.

Over the past two and a half years, Nigerian technical experts worked closely with their Korean counterparts to develop the architecture framework, create reference models, and execute pilot programmes in key institutions.

These include the National Identity Management Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and NITDA.

Officials say the NGEA represents a shift from fragmented digital efforts to a more coordinated, citizen-focused system.

The infrastructure is hosted by Galaxy Backbone Limited, providing a secure and reliable platform for nationwide deployment.

Looking ahead, NITDA is expected to work with government stakeholders to expand and sustain the system, while the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will provide policy guidance to ensure its adoption across the country.

 

 


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FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion  – Minister

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Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has said the government is shifting focus from expanding access to ensuring “meaningful connectivity” that drives economic growth and inclusion.

FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion  - Minister

Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

The minister made the statement on Friday while addressing stakeholders at the inauguration of board members of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) in Abuja.

He said that although Nigeria had made significant progress since the introduction of GSM services, millions of people, particularly in rural and underserved communities, remain either unconnected or unable to fully benefit from digital services.

Dr Tijani highlighted ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, including plans to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic network and nearly 4,000 telecom towers nationwide.

He said initiatives under the USPF had improved access through projects such as rural connectivity and digital facilities in schools but stressed that the next phase must prioritise effective usage.

“It is not enough to connect a community. We must ensure that schools can teach with digital tools and that small businesses can access market opportunities,” he said, citing a pilot project in the Kura community where connectivity has enhanced access to communication, education and healthcare.

Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also called for a shift towards meaningful connectivity, noting that while data usage had grown significantly, it remained concentrated in urban areas.

According to him, recent data shows that telecom usage has increased by about 160% over the past two years, largely driven by urban demand.

“When we drill down, we see that a lot of that growth is actually in urban centres. So, the gap between those who are not connected or not meaningfully connected is growing,” he said.

Dr Maida added that the trend underscored the need for the USPF board to intensify efforts to bridge both access and usage gaps across the country.

Both officials emphasised the importance of collaboration, sustainable investment models and improved digital literacy to ensure that connectivity translates into real economic benefits for Nigerians.

 

 


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