Author: Richard

Apple executives previously projected that smart glasses would take the place of the iPhone by 2029, a forecast that Eddy Cue later adjusted to 2035. Nonetheless, Neal Stephenson, a well-known supporter of this idea, has changed his position, now claiming that smartphones will persist for at least 20 more years.

Stephenson, who coined the term “metaverse” in his book *Snowcrash*, once firmly held that smart glasses would eventually supplant smartphones. Apple’s internal conversations in 2019 reflected this belief, indicating that such devices could replace smartphones in less than ten years. Eddy Cue reaffirmed this perspective, asserting that significant technological transformations could make the iPhone outdated.

Recently, Stephenson unveiled his shift in opinion, indicating that portable devices will continue to be common, particularly if the alternative entails donning devices on one’s face. He highlighted the difficulties in rendering smart glasses attractive, citing the unfavorable reception of Google Glass and analogous products.

While some argue that smart glasses will carve out a niche for themselves, many others, including commentators at 9to5Mac, contend that they will not supplant smartphones. The functionality and familiar design of smartphones suggest that they will endure, even with progress in wearable tech.

### AI Chatbot Privacy Ratings: An In-Depth Examination

In a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more embedded in our everyday routines, it is vital to comprehend the privacy implications associated with AI chatbots. A VPN provider, Surfshark, has carried out an investigation into the data gathering practices of the ten most prevalent AI chatbots listed on the App Store, culminating in a ranking that reflects their privacy ratings.

#### Data Gathering Practices

Surfshark’s research indicates that AI chatbots generally gather an average of 14 different kinds of personal information from users. This data encompasses a broad spectrum of details, from basic identifiers to more sensitive content. Notably, around 70% of the apps scrutinized collect users’ location data, raising considerable privacy issues.

The analysis was based on the privacy descriptions available on the Apple App Store, where developers must reveal the types of personal data they gather. Surfshark supplemented this data with a review of the privacy policies of individual chatbots, like DeepSeek and ChatGPT, to obtain more comprehensive insights into their data retention methods.

#### Ranking of AI Chatbots

The results indicated that Meta AI was the worst offender concerning data collection. It was found to gather 33 out of a possible 35 types of data, representing nearly 95% of the total. This includes sensitive categories like financial information, racial or ethnic data, sexual orientation, and biometric information.

Close behind was Google Gemini, which collects 23 distinct data types, including precise location information. Gemini also accumulates a substantial amount of data across various categories, including contact details, user content, and browsing history.

#### Complete Rankings

Although the complete rankings were not furnished in the original report, the focus on the data collection habits of Meta AI and Google Gemini underscores the necessity of examining the privacy policies of AI chatbots prior to usage.

#### Implications for Users

As highlighted by 9to5Mac, users need to recognize that many AI chatbots employ user interactions as training data for their models. This implies that even if a service is free of charge, users may unintentionally become the product being marketed. The gathering of extensive data heightens the risk of specific user accounts being linked back to individual chat sessions.

For privacy-conscious individuals, utilizing AI chatbots via platforms such as Siri may present a more secure option. Apple has secured agreements that anonymize user inquiries and prevent their inclusion as training data, thereby offering a level of protection that is often not assured with many independent chatbot applications.

#### Conclusion

As AI chatbots progress and integrate into a variety of applications, comprehending their data collection methods is crucial for safeguarding privacy. Users are advised to scrutinize the privacy policies of these services and consider the ramifications of their data being collected and used.