Security & Privacy
Lethal trifecta
A risky combination: AI can read private information, encounter untrusted material and send information outside the system.
Example
An assistant reads documents and can send information through a connected service.
Why people use it
It highlights a risky combination of private information, untrusted material and a way to send information out.
What you'll hear
“It can read secrets and outside messages, then send things away.”
What this means for you
Separate capabilities and restrict what untrusted content can cause the system to do.
Can you control it?
No
No direct control. This describes a wider issue, concept or result rather than something you can simply switch on or off in a tool.
Common questions
- Does the combination guarantee data will be leaked?
- No. It creates a risk pathway that depends on the system and defenses.
- Can an ordinary-looking document be part of the problem?
- Yes. Content the system reads can contain directions intended to misuse its other abilities.
- Why does the ability to communicate externally matter?
- It can provide a route for private information to leave the protected setting.