The hidden cost of convenience: Taking back data sovereignty
The recent controversy around WeTransfer’s terms of service has exposed a growing concern in the digital world: how easily your data can be used, misused, or misunderstood in the age of AI and cloud-based software tools.
Recently, WeTransfer received backlash for the possibility that they used uploads to the file transfer service to train their AI models. Even though WeTransfer clarified it doesn’t use customer files to train AI models, the backlash revealed a deeper issue: a lack of trust in how tech platforms handle sensitive information. And it’s not just file-sharing services. Many of the software tools businesses and staff rely on every day, especially AI-powered ones, could be quietly using your data in ways you didn’t intend.
As a result of this, your business, its data and what keeps it working could be at risk. Today we're helping you understand what might be using your data, what risks this exposes your business to and what you can do to protect yourself.
What is using your data
The software tools we sign up for out of convenience, as we're well aware, often have hidden clauses we agree to. There are a range of services that might be putting your business at risk by using your data. These are four examples that you might be using on a day-to-day basis.
AI chatbots & virtual assistants:
If you're using third-party bots to handle customer queries, internal support, or sales, your conversations could be stored and used to train external models. Consequently, these could be used by other businesses.
Document summarisation & analysis tools:
Uploading contracts, reports, or sensitive documents to free AI tools may expose confidential information by bringing this information into their model, and like the previous example, may find their way into the hands of competing businesses.
Off-the-shelf and SaaS CRMs:
Some platforms use customer data to “improve service” or “enhance predictions”—often without clear boundaries, opening yourself up to a host of potential risks we'll outline late.
Cloud-based collaboration tools:
Files shared for convenience can be scanned, indexed, or even publicly displayed if terms aren’t carefully reviewed or permissions configured correctly.
The list can go on, but the general takeaway: if a service is free, your data is the product. While AI is the pertinent topic of the day, within the world of big tech it has almost always been this way.
The risks go far beyond privacy
When it comes to data, the risks aren’t just about privacy; they’re about control, compliance, and reputation.
GDPR breaches are a very real concern. If customer or employee data is processed by AI tools or other service providers without clear, informed consent, your business could face serious legal consequences.
Then there’s the threat of data leaks and cyberattacks. Cloud-based systems often rely on vast databases to function effectively. If those systems are compromised, your sensitive business data, client files, internal communications, and financial records could be exposed or stolen. With off-the-shelf and SaaS software platforms, the price of entry is your data not being controlled by yourself and your business, but by someone else.
You also risk losing your competitive edge. Proprietary strategies, designs, or communications uploaded to third-party tools could inadvertently be used to train external models. That means your intellectual property could end up powering someone else’s product.
And finally, there’s reputation damage. Clients and partners expect discretion and professionalism. A single misstep, such as a leaked document or a misunderstood privacy clause, can erode trust and damage relationships that took years to build.
Secure, transparent, yours
At Shoothill, we’ve taken a fundamentally different approach. Our custom software and AI systems are built with data sovereignty at their core. That means:
Whether you're automating workflows, analysing data, or enhancing customer experience, Shoothill ensures your information stays private, protected, and entirely yours.
Don’t let AI be a backdoor to your business
Before you paste that sensitive email into a chatbot or upload a client file to a free summariser, ask yourself: “Do I know where this data is going?”
With Shoothill, the answer is always clear: nowhere but where you want it to.
If your business is looking to build its own in-house tools, speak to us today.
☎️ 01743 636300
🌐 To get a taste of our work visit us at www.shoothill.com