Instinct AI assistant draws privacy and security questions in early tests

In short: Early testers say Instinct is a very capable AI assistant, but its wide access to personal data and its terms of service are raising privacy and security concerns.

What's going on

Instinct is an AI personal assistant that is still in private testing. It can connect to apps and devices like email, messaging, calendars, and phone features such as audio, location, and screen activity. People can text or message it on WhatsApp to ask it to do tasks like booking appointments, finding flights, shopping, and cleaning up an inbox.

Some testers and observers are now focusing on what Instinct is allowed to access and store. Screenshots shared online point to terms of service that grant Instinct a broad license to use user materials, including for training its AI. The terms also say it can collect information such as screen captures, cursor movements, and keyboard inputs, which is like giving a helper a copy of what you see and type.

There are also concerns about the assistant taking actions on a user’s behalf. The terms say Instinct may enter into “agreements, commitments, or transactions” that would be binding. Separately, one user said the service did not delete Gmail records when asked, and later said the company added a tool to delete external data in settings.

What to watch

Instinct has not publicly responded to the concerns on X, according to TechCrunch, and requests for comment were not returned. The key question is whether Instinct changes its data practices and permissions before a wider launch, and whether users will accept the trade-off of convenience for more access to their personal information.

Source: TechCrunch AI