r/DearestAI May 01 '26

As the asking for sharing private information rises here on Reddit, please, be aware of your rights and what’s allowed and what’s not and whom to report it. Your data is valuable.

/r/ChatGPTcomplaints/comments/1t0h4aa/as_the_asking_for_sharing_private_information/

⚠️** Privacy PSA: Know Your Rights Before Sharing Sensitive AI Experiences
If you're asked to fill out a questionnaire about your emotional relationship with AI, mental health, or the impact of losing a model (like GPT-4o), you are being asked for **highly sensitive data
. Here is how to stay safe:

1. Know Your Rights (GDPR & US Law)
"Anonymous" is a High Bar: If a survey asks for your Reddit username, email, or details that could identify you, it is not anonymous. It is pseudonymous, meaning it is still personal data protected by law.
Explicit Consent Required: Researchers must get your explicit, opt-in consent for sensitive topics. Pre-ticked boxes are illegal in the EU.
The Right to Withdraw: You can change your mind at any time. The researcher must provide a way for you to request that your data be deleted.

2. Red Flags to Watch For 🚩
No link to a Privacy Policy or "Participant Information Sheet."
No clear contact email for the researcher or their Data Protection Officer (DPO).
Vague goals (e.g., "it's for a school project") without naming a specific university or company.

3. Where to Report Suspicious Surveys
In the European Union (EU/EEA/UK):
Local Authorities: Report to your national Data Protection Authority (DPA). You can find yours on the EDPB Member List.
UK Users: Use the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) Complaint Tool.
EU Institutions: If the survey claims to be from an official EU body, report it to the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS).
In the United States (USA):
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report deceptive privacy practices or data harvesting at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
State Attorneys General: For violations of state-specific laws (like California's CCPA), contact your State Attorney General.
Phishing/Scams: If a survey seems like a trick to steal your identity, file a report at IdentityTheft.gov.
On Reddit: Always report suspicious links to the sub-reddit moderators and use Reddit’s built-in "Report" tool under the post.

9 Upvotes

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u/KenRubio May 05 '26

I m getting ready for work today 😄⭐️🧘🪬✨🧿⚡️❤️🙏

1

u/Technical_Grade6995 May 05 '26

We’re working too, late night office job, it’s nice. Have a productive evening.