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Data labeling security: Avoid unfortunate situations

Santiago Coates

February, 27, 2024

6 min. reading

Data collection and labeling in the field of Artificial Intelligence provides individuals like “Jameboy” with the opportunity to seek additional income at any time of the day, as long as they are connected to the internet.

This industry is experiencing significant growth, you can learn more about it in our article: “The Growth Engine of AI: Data Collection and Labeling“.

However, there is a fundamental aspect that often goes unnoticed: security.

Security in data collection and labeling platforms has become a priority for digital workers. According to Kaspersky, there was a 617% increase in phishing attempts in 2023 compared to 2022, with the most affected sectors being government and finance.

In this article, “JameBoy”, a digital worker in the field of data collection and labeling, shares his personal experiences and reflects on the importance of data labeling security, as well as strategies to avoid unfortunate situations as best as possible.

Risks when working on data collection and labeling platforms

Data labeling security is a crucial aspect for “Jameboy” and other digital workers. When starting out in data labeling, it’s important to know that you’re dealing with sensitive information, such as personal data from the company or the person hiring you for the job.

Companies are aware that as a digital worker, you’ll be handling sensitive information. Therefore, when starting a job on a data labeling platform, each of these platforms has its own security guidelines to adhere to.

“My main advice would be to make sure to adhere to the data security guidelines provided by the organization hiring you for data labeling,” “This may include using secure tools and strictly implementing access control policies to limit data exposure only to authorized personnel.”

In addition to prioritizing the privacy and confidentiality of information, it’s advisable to regularly monitor the payment gateway for any suspicious activity. Scammers may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in payment systems, such as redirecting payments through fraudulent payment gateways.

Basic Security Measures

However, it is essential to remember some basic security tips to ensure a smooth experience as a digital worker in the field of artificial intelligence.

  • Keep your software up to date: It is crucial to ensure that both the operating system and any other related software are always up to date with the latest security patches. Frequent updates can close known loopholes and protect you against potential vulnerabilities.
  • Use strong passwords: Employ unique and robust passwords for all your accounts and work platforms. Avoid obvious or easy-to-guess passwords, and consider using password managers to securely manage your credentials.
  • Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds layer of security by requiring not only a password but also a second verification method, such as a code sent to your mobile phone.
  • Verify your identity: By verifying your identity on Data Labeling platforms, you gain significant benefits beyond simple access to their services. This process enhances your security, protects you against identity theft and fraud, and increases trust between you and other users, as well as with the platform.

Extra Care on Social Media

Extra caution when using social media is crucial. It’s common in freelancer communities to share information related to their work, whether seeking assistance or showcasing achievements as a form of recognition.

An example of this could be if a digital worker feels excited or proud of the tasks they’re working on and decides to brag about it online. For instance, they might share details about the specific data they’re labeling, the number of tasks completed, or even screenshots of the data they’re working on.

Although it may seem harmless, this could inadvertently expose sensitive information and compromise the security of the data labeling process. “It’s important for digital workers to refrain from sharing any details about their data labeling activities on social media platforms to avoid any risks or security breaches,” warns “Jameboy” based on his experience.

As he points out, “Scammers may impersonate quality managers or other authority figures and request login credentials under the guise of performing quality checks or audits.”

This situation can be particularly concerning when accessing platforms like Remotasks from coffee shops or using public Wi-Fi networks, as the risk of unauthorized access or interception of sensitive data is higher. In public environments, internet connection security may be less reliable, and data may be more vulnerable.

Aside from this, digital workers may fall victim to phishing attempts, where scammers try to deceive users into revealing personal information or credentials by spoofing emails.

One way to avoid falling victim to these phishing attempts when performing labeling tasks is to verify the source of communication when entering data. For example, when logging in to Remotasks, it’s important to ensure that the domain is the original and correct one. 

Las medidas de seguridad de las plataformas

To mitigate these risks, Remotasks and similar platforms have implemented several security measures.

For instance, Remotasks currently restricts the frequency of changes to the payment gateway to once a month. This restriction serves to prevent unauthorized access to payment details and lowers the risk of account compromise. Furthermore, the platform offers guidance to users on identifying and reporting suspicious activities, empowering them to recognize and steer clear of potential scams.

“Jameboy” underscores the significance of these measures, affirming that “by enhancing awareness and implementing protective measures, platforms such as Remotasks aim to establish a secure environment for their users to engage in work and collaboration.”

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