Is ChatGPT Really Safe for Your Business? 8 Risks to Know Before You Trust It

ChatGPT can feel like magic, type in a prompt, get a helpful answer, and put it into action. For small business owners, it’s tempting to use it for everything: marketing copy, customer service replies, meeting notes, even legal templates.

But here’s what doesn’t get talked about enough: ChatGPT wasn’t designed with small business security in mind, at least not by default. If you’re not careful, you could share something you shouldn’t, break privacy laws, or open the door to a scam without realizing it.

This article walks you through the real risks, so you can keep using ChatGPT safely and confidently for your business.

8 Real ChatGPT Risks You Should Know

1. Sharing Too Much Without Realizing It

The risk: You or someone on your team pastes private information into ChatGPT, like a client’s tax details or a full contract draft, not realizing it can be stored, reused or exposed.

In 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked secret company code by pasting it into ChatGPT to “debug.” It wasn’t malicious, just a shortcut that turned into a mistake. But it led to a company-wide ban on AI tools.

Why it matters: Unless you’re using a special enterprise version, ChatGPT saves your chats and may use them to improve its models.

Stay safe:

• Don’t paste real client names, emails, or sensitive files into ChatGPT.
• Use placeholders (“[ClientName]”) or fake data when testing things.
• Avoid typing anything you wouldn’t want on the front page of the internet.

Related:

• How to Use ChatGPT for Your Small Business: What to Know and Where to Start
• What data Chat GPT collects about you, and why is this important for your digital privacy
• What Not to Share With AI Chatbots

2. Your Private Chats May Become Public

The risk: ChatGPT lets you share conversations with others, but that convenience can also expose private information without your knowledge.

 In 2024, OpenAI ran an experiment that made shared ChatGPT chats searchable on Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo. The feature required just a couple of clicks to activate, and many users weren’t aware their conversations were being indexed. As a result, thousands of chats, including personal stories and identifiable details, appeared in public search results.

OpenAI later disabled the feature, but for some users, the damage had already been done.

Why it matters: Even if a feature seems harmless, you never know when it might expose more than intended, especially when dealing with client info, internal discussions, or anything confidential.

Stay safe:

• Don’t use the “Share Chat” feature for business or personal conversations
• Never assume a shared link is private — once it’s out, it’s out
• Regularly delete old chats you no longer need, just in case

Related: Should You Let AI Train on Your Business Content? Pros, Cons, and How to Opt Out

3. Your ChatGPT Account Can Get Hacked

The risk: If your ChatGPT login is weak or reused, hackers could get in and see every conversation you’ve ever had.

In 2024, over 225,000 ChatGPT login credentials were found for sale on dark web marketplaces. They were stolen using malware designed to grab saved passwords and browser autofill data.

Why it matters: For many small businesses, ChatGPT chats include everything from internal emails to brainstorms, pricing ideas, or client summaries.

Stay safe:

• Use a strong, unique password.
• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Never log in from a shared or public computer.

4. You Might Get Tricked by Fake ChatGPT Tools

The risk: A scam website or app pretends to be ChatGPT, but it’s actually stealing your info or installing malware.

Dozens of fake apps pretending to offer “premium” ChatGPT access have appeared in app stores. Some charged high subscription fees for features that are otherwise free. Others were stuffed with ads or designed to collect your data.. A few were even found to contain malware that could compromise devices, a major risk for small business owners using these tools on work phones or laptops.

Stay safe:

• Only use ChatGPT from official sources
• Be suspicious of “premium” AI tools you find through ads or messages.
• Protect your devices with a trusted cybersecurity solution — one that blocks fake sites and alerts you to suspicious downloads.

5. Employees Might Use It Without Telling You

The risk: Someone on your team uses ChatGPT for work, but pastes in sensitive info or relies on wrong answers without you knowing.

Why it matters: You can’t protect what you can’t see. Without clear rules, people will often do what feels easiest, rather than what’s safest.

Stay safe:

• Talk with your team about what’s okay to use ChatGPT for — and what’s off-limits.
• Set up a shared document or short guide with your own “Do’s and Don’ts.”
• Encourage people to ask before using AI tools with client or business info.

Related: How to Work Safely with Polyworkers, Contractors and Freelancers

6. AI Can Be Used to Trick You, Too

The risk: Hackers now use AI to write better phishing emails or create fake messages that sound like someone you know.

AI impersonation scams have surged in 2025, using tricks like voice cloning, deepfake videos, and realistic-sounding messages to target businesses and individuals alike.

Why it matters: AI makes scams smoother, more believable, and harder to catch — especially when you’re tired or in a rush.

Stay safe:

• Be skeptical of any “urgent” request involving money, passwords, or links.
• Double-check emails or messages with a quick phone call or text — especially if it seems unusual.
• Use cybersecurity tools that flag scammy messages before you open them.

Related: How Deepfakes Can Target Businesses Like YoursYour Face, Your Voice, Your Business—The Rise of AI-Driven Identity Fraud and How to Stop It

7. You Could Break Privacy Rules Without Knowing It

The risk: Privacy laws in the EU (and beyond) are tightening around how AI tools handle personal data, and small businesses aren’t exempt.

The new EU AI Act means serious consequences for misusing AI. Businesses can be fined up to €35 million or 7% of their global revenue, whichever is higher, if they break the rules around banned or risky AI practices.

Even small, everyday uses, like summarizing resumes or emails, could become problematic, depending on how the law evolves. If you’re using AI in your business, it’s smart to stay informed and cautious.

Why it matters: Most small businesses don’t have a legal team on speed dial. However, breaking privacy rules, even by accident, can become expensive quickly.

Stay safe:

• Avoid entering customer names, emails, or any data that could identify a person.
• Use ChatGPT to draft or brainstorm — not to process personal data.
• If you're unsure, ask your legal advisor or do your research before using AI in sensitive ways.

8. Becoming Too Dependent on ChatGPT

The risk: This one’s less about security and more about mindset. ChatGPT is fast, helpful, and always available — and that can make it easy to reach for it every time you’re stuck. But when you start using it for everything, from writing emails to making decisions, you may slowly stop trusting your own voice. Some people even admit they’ve started thinking of it more like a partner than a tool.

Why it matters: When you rely too much on ChatGPT, your confidence and creativity can take a hit. It also puts your business in a tough spot if the tool suddenly goes down, changes its policies, or simply gives you the wrong advice. This risk isn’t just technical — it’s psychological.

Stay safe:

• Use ChatGPT as a helper, not a crutch.
• Gut-check important answers with your own experience — or ask a colleague.
• Remember: your clients chose you, not the AI.

You Don’t Need to Be an Expert to Stay Safe

You don’t need to be a tech expert to use ChatGPT safely, just a bit of awareness and a few smart habits and tools go a long way.

Here’s what you can do starting today:

• Set clear guidelines for how you and your team use ChatGPT.
• Use fake or anonymized data — never paste in real client or business info.
• Protect your business with a trusted solution like Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security. It blocks scam websites, phishing emails, and fake AI tools before they ever reach you. If your company’s information is ever part of a data breach, you’ll get notified right away — so you can act fast. It also helps you secure your online activity with a built-in VPN and password manager, so you’re protected whether you’re working from your office, a café, or the airport. Start your free trial now.
• Keep an eye on new rules, like the EU AI Act, that may affect how businesses are allowed to use AI.
• Don’t underestimate the psychological side of using AI tools. ChatGPT can be incredibly helpful, but it’s also easy to lean on it a little too much. When you start turning to it for every draft, decision, or reply, you risk losing confidence in your own voice. Strong security helps protect your data, but staying mindful protects your judgment. Use ChatGPT as a smart assistant, not a replacement for your experience or instincts.

You don’t have to give up ChatGPT. Used wisely, it can absolutely help you work smarter. Just remember: it’s a tool and, like any tool, it works best when you stay in control.