New Zealanders face AI confidence trap regarding data privacy

The Avast 2026 Safe Tech Report highlights an ‘AI confidence trap’ among New Zealanders, revealing a disconnect between perceived ability to detect artificial intelligence and actual data protection habits. While 66% of New Zealand adults believe they could immediately identify an AI-generated fake, 40% have shared or considered sharing sensitive information with AI tools.

Security experts warn that confidence in spotting fakes can lead to a false sense of security regarding data privacy. The report notes that AI was involved in tens of millions of video encounters globally during the first half of 2026, with approximately one in every 30 flagged as a scam. Experts advise users to treat chatbots with caution, noting that information shared with these tools could be exposed elsewhere.