Is ChatGPT a Home Security Risk? Why You Shouldn’t Get Too Comfy With AI

Around our homes, programs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can be handy for everything from visualizing a new living room layout to troubleshooting what’s gone wrong with the ficus. But they do come with home security risks.

“People are very inclined to use a friendly AI, which in turn makes them less wary of security collaterals,” says telecommunications expert Amruth Laxman. “People also often forget that these are not private whatsoever. Anything you enter or talk about, like travel information, who lives with you and device brands, can be of value to an attacker.”

What’s doubly unsettling is that once a bit of information is out there, you can’t delete it. So before you open up your home to security risks, here’s what to know about the dangers and benefits of using AI chatbots.

What AI Chatbots Actually Do

AI chatbots are computer programs which use AI technology to simulate a human-like conversation. They can be used for everything from gathering DIY project ideas, to getting instructions for installing a new soundbar or troubleshooting what’s wrong with the clothes dryer.

Potential Home-Security Risks from Chatbot Conversations

On the most basic level, chatbots — especially free ones — pose security threats because AI companies store conversations to train future AI models. So if you give a chatbot information about the layout of your home, a quote with your address on it or the brand of security system you use, those details will indefinitely remain on a server somewhere. Then, “if that data is ever leaked or misused, someone could piece together more about your home than you intended,” says digital home security expert Dr. Stephen Boyce.

And security breaches are fairly common, says cybersecurity expert Amy Mortlock. “Millions of sensitive records have been exposed, and chatbot conversations leak private information on a daily basis,” she says. “People are questioning whether convenience is worth the security trade-offs.”

Because of this, Laxman says a good rule of thumb is to think of chatbots like a conversation in a crowded coffee shop. “They’re helpful, informative and save time, but they don’t [give] the same level of privacy you would get in a one-on-one conversation,” he says.

Oversharing Personal Information

Sharing sensitive information like your address, social security number and home security system codes is an obvious security faux-pas. But scammers can also piece together attacks based on less obvious details.

For example, if you share interior photos of your home and mention your neighborhood, daily routine or vacation plans, attackers can figure out where you live, when you’ll be away from home, and what valuables you have inside.

“A few casual hints about where you live, when you’re home or how your doors are set up can snowball into practical risk if mishandled,” says housing risk expert Ahmed Harhara.

Social Engineering Risks

DIYers should be especially wary of scammers using AI to create fake tech support messages, repair instructions and emails that look like they came from the manufacturer of an appliance you’ve just installed, says Boyce. “A chatbot on a shady website or mobile app can trick you into giving away passwords or installing unsafe updates,” he says.

Scammers can also use small pieces of information gleaned from chatbot conversations to impersonate you and trick your smart devices.

Can Chatbots Control Devices and Listen Through Your Microphones?

Officially, no. Chatbots cannot automatically access your phone’s microphone or turn on your smart house lights and door locks, unless you’ve linked them to a smart home system, such as Alexa or Google Home.

“Even then, the control is limited to the permissions you grant,” says AI expert Kaveh Vahdat. “If an app asks for microphone or device-access permissions and you approve them without reading carefully, that’s where risk is.”

Boyce also warns that chatbot access might change, as they become more integrated into home appliances. “DIYs should read smart home release notes and updates frequently, as nearly every home appliance is incorporating AI into its products.”

Are Chatbots Helpful for Security?

They can be. For example, they can help you think through security tasks like flagging outdated firmware and default passwords, spotting weak points in your home network and walking you through confusing device settings, says Vahdat. “But they’re not a replacement for actual security tools or expertise, and they don’t ‘detect’ attacks in real time,” he says.

FAQ

Are chat histories stored? Can that be risky?

Yes, chat histories are usually stored, unless you turn off that feature. It can be convenient to store them, so you can look up information from past conversations. But that also comes with security risks, since anything you say or type can sit on a server indefinitely.

“If someone pastes passwords, camera IPs, router login info or home addresses into a chatbot, that information could potentially be accessed by support staff or be exposed in a breach,” says Vahdat. “As a rule, treat a chatbot like any other online form. Never type in anything you wouldn’t want exposed, shared or mishandled.”

Can chatbots reveal my location?

Sometimes. Chatbots don’t automatically know where you are, but they can learn your approximate location through your device’s IP address, and get more precise location if your location data is turned on.

Also, attackers can infer your location from information that you inadvertently share, such as GPS data and visual landmarks in photos, your IP address and information about your neighborhood, like your favorite drink at the local coffee shop.

About the Experts

• Amy Mortlock is Vice President of marketing at ShadowDragon and has over 15 years of experience in cybersecurity, OSINT and brand growth.
• Dr. Stephen Boyce is CEO of The Cyber Doctor, a firm focused on digital protection and smart home security for high-risk individuals and households. His background includes time spent as an FBI digital forensics examiner and leading major cyber investigations in the private sector.
• Amruth Laxman is founding partner of 4Voice, a phone solutions company, and has 25 years of telecommunications experience, plus implementation of high availability software and systems.
• Kaveh Vahdat is founder and president of RiseOpp, a leading fractional CMO and SEO services company that works with a variety of clients across different industries to implement innovative marketing strategies in the age of AI.
• Ahmed Harhara, Ph.D., is engineer and founder at HoustonHomeTools.com, a data platform that helps residents understand neighborhood-level environmental and housing risks.

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