Whisper side-channel leaks and ChatGPT stealth mode are fueling privacy worries as LLMs go from research to real-world use. A Whisper side-channel attack could let bad actors access sensitive conversations [1]. Meanwhile, a project on ChatGPT stealth mode describes listening but session closed and a phone locked, underscoring how users chase minimized data exposure [2].
Some builders are leaning into privacy-first tools. SpatialRead is pitched as a BYOK-enabled research workflow that puts you in control: you can plug in your own API keys for OpenAI, Google, Perplexity, and Anthropic; build AI knowledge graphs; and keep data off vendor run logs [3].
On the deployment front, self-hosted stacks are gaining steam. An example self-hosted setup walks through a local GPT configuration with LM Studio, Caddy, and Cloudflare Tunnel to run on a LAN but reachable remotely [4].
- LM Studio model server runs locally and exposes an API at /v1/chat/completions. [4]
- Caddy proxies API calls and fixes CORS. [4]
- Cloudflare Tunnel maps the local server to a public URL without router changes. [4]
Privacy is a moving target; the trendlines point toward BYOK and self-hosted options as ways to thread the needle between convenience and control.
References
Whisper Leak side-channel attack bad actors access sensitive LLM conversations
News about Whisper side-channel attack enabling bad actors to access sensitive LLM conversations raises privacy concerns.
View sourceChatGPT stealth mode: listening but session closed, phone locked
Post discusses ChatGPT stealth mode, listening with session closed; links to CoCivium GitHub project; implications for LLM privacy and behavior
View sourceShow HN: SpatialRead – A Research Paper Reading Tool
Tool combines PDF reader with AI models; supports multiple providers; builds knowledge graph with expandable insights and BYOK for privacy.
View sourceI built my own self-hosted GPT with LM Studio, Caddy, and Cloudflare Tunnel
Describes building a local, self-hosted GPT-like chat using LM Studio, Caddy, and Cloudflare Tunnel; discusses models, UI, deployment, and security.
View source