As artificial intelligence becomes a staple of our daily routines, the UAE Cybersecurity Council is urging residents to exercise extreme caution before interacting with new AI platforms. The risk is significant: many unauthorized tools are specifically designed to harvest private data or gain unauthorized access to device features like cameras. To stay protected, it is essential to stick to reputable, verified services and carefully review any permissions requested during setup. Never grant an AI tool access to your device’s internal functions unless you are certain of its legitimacy and necessity.

Beyond general privacy, users should adopt a "zero-trust" approach when inputting sensitive data into any chatbot or AI generator. You should never share financial details, such as bank account or credit card numbers, as these can easily be compromised. Similarly, avoid uploading identity documents like your Emirates ID or passport, and keep medical records private to prevent identity theft. If you must use AI to analyze sensitive documents, always redact personal information first. This vigilance is increasingly critical as the UAE Cyber Security Council warns that malicious actors are now leveraging AI for sophisticated cyber warfare, ranging from deepfake misinformation campaigns to large-scale data exfiltration that targets individuals and government entities alike.