Global cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has cautioned travellers against sharing sensitive personal information with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered travel planning tools, warning that such practices could expose users to cyber threats and identity theft.
Kaspersky
The company gave the warning in its latest global survey on AI-powered travel planning, which found that while many travellers use AI to simplify trip preparation, most remain concerned about data privacy and security.
According to the survey, 73 per cent of respondents said they use AI to save time and make travel planning easier, while 65 per cent rely on the technology to discover tourist attractions and receive personalised travel recommendations.
The report also showed that 63 per cent of users depend on AI to find the best travel deals, while 61 per cent use it to uncover information that may otherwise be difficult to access.
Kaspersky, however, warned that users should avoid sharing confidential information such as passport details, credit card numbers and other sensitive personal data with AI platforms, as such information could be exposed through data breaches or exploited by cybercriminals.
The cybersecurity company also warned that hackers could use AI-generated content to impersonate airlines, hotels and travel agencies in phishing schemes designed to steal users’ money or personal information.
It advised travellers to independently verify information generated by AI chatbots before relying on it for travel decisions.
The company noted that AI-generated links should also be treated with caution, as some could direct users to malicious or phishing websites.
According to the survey, 48 per cent of respondents said they deliberately avoid sharing sensitive information with AI because of security concerns, while another 37 per cent said they remain cautious despite having fewer concerns.
Overall, 86 per cent of AI users surveyed acknowledged thinking about data security when using AI-powered travel tools, while only 14 per cent expressed complete confidence in the safety of sharing personal data with such platforms.
The survey further revealed that travellers in Spain, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa expressed the highest levels of concern over AI-related security risks.
In contrast, respondents in China, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia showed greater confidence in the security of AI systems.
Commenting on the findings, Vladislav Tushkanov, Group Manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Center, said the level of caution demonstrated by users was encouraging.
He advised travellers to remain vigilant, avoid oversharing personal information and carefully assess the tasks assigned to AI tools to minimise exposure to cyber risks.
According to him, adopting safe digital practices would enable users to enjoy the benefits of AI while reducing the likelihood of falling victim to cybercrime.
