How To Stop AI Chatbots From Collecting Your Data

Repeat after me: Nothing is free on the internet. Everything you do online in today's digital age is a transaction. If you aren’t exchanging money for a digital product or service, then it’s safe to assume that you are the product. With that in mind, you shouldn't be surprised your favorite AI chatbot collects lots of information about you. Sometimes, the apps only want your birth date or your phone number. Others automatically collect your chat history or keystrokes. Read on to learn what kinds of data ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, and other popular AI chatbot apps collect. Here's what you need to know:

AI chatbot apps aren't as invasive as social media apps, but many of them collect a surprising amount of data. There are several reasons why chatbots collect data. Unlike the many fears people have of AI, chatbots aren't independent thinkers and they are designed to take information from the conversations they have with you. The data that it collects is used to make the chatbot interact with you better. Also, chatbots are designed to learn about you to make your experience with them personal. Now keep in mind the companies that create AI chatbots aren't non-profit companies. To develop new emerging technology, they have to create profit and the most profitable way to make money on the web is by selling your data to advertisers and third-party vendors.

The best way for you to find out what kinds of data these chatbot apps take from your devices is to read the app's privacy policy on the parent company's website. To help you along, I created the chart below to highlight the types of AI chatbots that collect and share.

OpenAI ChatGPT

Data Collected: account credentials, audio, browser type, and settings, contact information, date of birth, device name, device operating system, files, general location, images, IP address, name, payment information, service interactions, text prompts, transaction history, type of computer or mobile device, your computer connection Self-reported data collected and shared by popular AI Assistant apps.

Does it use your data to train AI? Yes

Does it share your data with advertisers? Yes

Microsoft Copilot

Data Collected: prompts, responses

Does it use your data to train AI? No

Does it share your data with advertisers? No

Google Gemini

Data Collected: addresses, call and message logs, chat transcripts, contacts, device information, dialer, feedback, Gemini Apps conversations, Google Assistant information (such as smart home device names and playlists), images uploaded for feedback purposes, installed apps, IP address, location information, permissions, preferred language, related product usage information, screen context

Does it use your data to train AI? Yes (specific cases only)

Does it share your data with advertisers? No

Meta.AI

Data Collected: Name, username, email address, phone number, date of birth, gender, posts, photos, videos, stories, comments, messages, information about your contacts, if you information about your interests, hobbies, and preferences, which you may provide through your profile or interactions on the platform, features you use, how often you use them, and the time you spend on the platform, information about your interactions with other users, such as who you interact with, what content you engage with, and how you interact with ads. ?information about the devices you use to access Meta's services, such as the type of device, operating system, browser, IP address, and location. ?

Does it use your data to train AI? Yes

Does it share your data with advertisers? Yes

Perplexity

Data Collected: name, email address, contact details, how you interact with the platform, like how often you use it and what features you use, details about your device, like identifiers, may be collected, location data

Does it use your data to train AI? No

Does it share your data with advertisers? No

DeepSeek

Data Collected: advertising information, chat history, crash reports, date of birth, device model, diagnostic information, email address, feedback, IP address, keystroke patterns or rhythms, operating system, password, payment information, performance information, performance logs, phone number, prompts, service-related information, system language, text or audio input, uploaded files, username.

Does it use your data to train AI? Yes

Does it share your data with advertisers? Yes

How Can You Stop AI Chatbots From Collecting Your Data? It's tricky to completely prevent AI chatbots from collecting your data, as it's often at the core of how they learn and improve. However, you can take steps to minimize the data they collect and protect your privacy:

Check the chatbot's settings. Many chatbots have privacy settings that allow you to opt-out of data collection for training purposes. Look for options like "Improve the model for everyone" or "Chat History and Training" and disable them.

Don't use the chatbot apps on your phone. Instead, you can access them by running the models locally on your computer without giving up so much data.

Avoid sharing sensitive information. Never provide personal details like your name, address, phone number, social security number, or financial information to a chatbot. ?

Use a pseudonym. Consider using a fake name, email, or alias when interacting with a chatbot to further protect your identity.

Use a Virtual Private Network. A (VPN) can mask your IP address and location, making it harder for the chatbot to track you.???

Privacy-focused browser:?Consider using a browser that prioritizes privacy, such as Brave or Firefox which can block trackers and ads.???

Research the chatbot's reputation.?Before using a chatbot, research its privacy practices and reputation. Chatbots like DeepSeek and Qwen are Chinese-based and have a reputation for taking user information. Look for chatbots that have a strong commitment to user privacy.

Even if you take these steps, it's difficult to guarantee that a chatbot won't collect any data about you. Data is used to improve AI and keep in mind that the data collected by chatbots is often used to improve their performance and make them more helpful for everyone.

Hopefully, this will give you tips to help you keep your information out of the prying eyes of AI chatbots. If you have any questions, please reach out. I'm always available.

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