Three Samsung engineers. One GenAI tool. Countless confidential info.
In 2023, employees at Samsung pasted proprietary code into ChatGPT while using it to troubleshoot bugs and summarize meeting notes. They didn’t realize those prompts could be stored or used to train the model.
The result? Confidential data could appear in other users’ outputs - especially if the algorithms memorized it during model training.
This week, we’re talking about prompt leaks - when your GenAI prompt accidentally exposes sensitive information.
This incident wasn’t a breach. It was an “overshare” enabled by a tool that doesn’t have a warning label.
That’s why GenAI prompt hygiene is another new Responsible AI Literacy skill.
Quick Takeaways
Prompt leaks happen when you include confidential info containing sensitive business, legal, or personal data in GenAI prompts.
GenAI tools store your prompts by default - unless you use a secured or enterprise version.
A 5-question checklist can help you prompt more safely and strategically.
5 Questions to Ask Before You Prompt GenAI
Use this checklist anytime you're typing into ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or any GenAI tool at work or home.
1. Would I say this in a recorded meeting?
Assume everything you type is being logged in the GenAI tool. If it would feel risky to say out loud on a recorded Zoom call, it probably shouldn’t be in a prompt.
2. Am I revealing internal or sensitive information?
Think beyond names: deal terms, internal workflows, salary benchmarks, or client notes. When leaked or reused, these details could harm your brand, reputation, or clients.
3. Could this prompt be pieced together with others?
One vague prompt may seem harmless. But multiple prompts - over time - can paint a complete picture. AI systems store logs that could be linked and queried later.
4. Am I treating this like an expert advisor?
GenAI tools aren’t lawyers, doctors, or psychiatrists. Don’t trust them with high-stakes advice or decisions. They can hallucinate - confidently generate answers that may be legally or factually wrong.
5. Am I planning to copy or share this output?
Before you paste the output into an email or slide deck, ask yourself: “Does this output contain assumptions, errors, or sensitive info? What risk would I take on by repeating it?”
Using GenAI isn’t just about asking thoughtful questions. It’s about asking them safely.
Why It Matters
When you type a prompt into GenAI, you’re not just working on a specific task - you’re creating a data trail.
And that data may live far longer than you think:
A lawyer prompts ChatGPT about a client case - and their question lives on
An HR manager drafts a performance review - and their phrasing resurfaces
A student shares personal trauma - and it reappears in another user’s essay
What feels private often isn’t. What seems small can scale fast.
That’s the danger of prompt leaks - they can expose data without anyone realizing it. It’s not about fear. It’s about building better habits now.
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Your GenAI prompt today could be someone else’s output tomorrow.
Quick Start
Forward this article to one colleague or team lead. Responsible GenAI use starts with shared awareness.
Pick one of the 5 questions to reflect on together. Use it to spark a quick team conversation.
Start drafting a simple GenAI prompt policy. What’s safe? What’s off-limits? How do you verify output? You don’t need a legal team - just shared standards. One clear prompt policy can prevent one major privacy slip.
Over To You
What’s one GenAI safety question you think every team should ask before prompting? Reply and let us know! We’d love to include it in our shared playbook for smarter GenAI use.
Share The Love
Found this article valuable? Share it with a friend who wants to learn how to use AI ethically and responsibly. Forward this article or send them this link to subscribe: https://skills4good.ai/newsletter/
Till next time, stay curious and committed to AI 4 Good!
Josephine and the Skills4Good AI Team
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