Privacy: What Not to Share
AI conversations feel private, but they're not quite like talking to a trusted friend. Understanding what to share - and what to keep private - protects you and your information.
What You'll Learn
What information you should and shouldn't share with AI, and how to protect your privacy while still getting helpful responses.
Why This Matters
AI companies may store and use your conversations. Sharing the wrong information could expose you to risks. A few simple habits keep you safe.
How AI Companies Handle Data
Understanding the basics:
- Conversations may be stored - Most AI services save your chats
- Data may be used for training - Your conversations might help improve AI
- Employees may review chats - For safety and quality purposes
- Policies vary - Each company handles data differently
- Enterprise/paid tiers often differ - May offer more privacy
This isn't necessarily bad - it's how you get a free or low-cost service. But it means you should be thoughtful about what you share.
What NOT to Share
Personal Identifiers
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Passport numbers
- Full credit card numbers
- Bank account details
Login Credentials
- Passwords (never!)
- Security question answers
- Two-factor authentication codes
- API keys or tokens
Sensitive Personal Information
- Medical records with identifying info
- Legal documents with personal details
- Financial statements
- Private photos or personal files
Work Confidential Information
- Trade secrets
- Unreleased product information
- Client data with identifiers
- Internal company documents (without permission)
Other People's Information
- Others' personal details without consent
- Private conversations without permission
- Contact information for third parties
What's Generally Safe to Share
- General questions and learning topics
- Writing drafts without sensitive details
- Creative projects
- Publicly available information
- Anonymized scenarios
- General descriptions of situations
How to Get Help Without Oversharing
Remove Identifying Details
Instead of:
"Review this contract between John Smith at 123 Main St and XYZ Corp"
Try:
"Review this contract between [Party A] and [Party B] - I've removed names and addresses"
Use Hypotheticals
Instead of:
"My bank account number is 12345 and I need to..."
Try:
"If someone had a checking account and wanted to... how would they..."
Describe, Don't Copy
Instead of pasting your entire medical record:
"My test showed X, Y, and Z values. In general, what do these mean?"
Try It Yourself
Practice rephrasing to protect privacy:
Work Considerations
Check Company Policy
Many companies have rules about using AI tools. Before using AI for work:
- Check if AI tools are approved
- Know what data you can share
- Understand confidentiality requirements
When in Doubt
- Don't share client information
- Don't share proprietary data
- Ask your manager if unsure
- Use anonymized examples
Privacy Settings
Check Your Account Settings
Most AI services let you:
- View your conversation history
- Delete specific conversations
- Opt out of training data use (sometimes)
- Request data deletion
How to Check
Go to your AI tool's settings and look for:
- Privacy settings
- Data controls
- History management
- Account preferences
Reading Privacy Policies
You don't need to read every word, but look for:
- How long data is stored
- Whether data is used for training
- How to delete your data
- Whether data is shared with third parties
Pro Tip
Create a mental checklist before sharing:
- Does this contain personal identifiers? (Don't share)
- Is this confidential work information? (Check policy first)
- Is this someone else's private information? (Don't share)
- Could this harm me if it were public? (Reconsider)
If you pass all four checks, you're probably safe to share.
Common Questions
Q: Are my conversations truly private?
A: Not completely. AI companies typically store conversations and may review them. Treat it like email - reasonably private, but not secret.
Q: Can I delete my conversations?
A: Usually yes. Most services let you delete history, though data may persist in backups temporarily.
Q: Is paid AI more private?
A: Often, yes. Enterprise tiers typically offer stronger privacy protections. Check the specific terms for paid plans.
Q: What if I accidentally shared something sensitive?
A: Delete the conversation immediately. If it's seriously sensitive (like passwords), change those credentials. Contact the AI company's support if needed.
Q: Is AI listening to me when I'm not chatting?
A: Text AI tools only receive what you type. Voice assistants are different - check their specific privacy settings.
What's Next
Privacy is one aspect of AI safety. Next, we'll explore how to recognize AI's limitations so you don't rely on it for things it can't do well.