When you’re chatting with AI or using it to edit a photo, it’s easy to forget that you’re talking to a massive computer system. Every time you send a prompt, you are sharing data, so what happens to it?
Is my AI chat private?
Most AI tools ‘learn’ by looking at the conversations people have with them. This means that if you tell AI a secret, describe a personal problem, or upload a photo of your house, that information could be used to train the next version of the software. Even if the company says they “de-identify” the data (taking your name off it), the details of your life are still being stored in their system.
The best tip to follow is that if you wouldn’t post it on a public profile, don’t tell it to AI.
The law and your rights
The law has caught up with technology to give you more control. Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, companies now have to follow much stricter rules for young people, for example:
- Apps used by under-18s must have the highest privacy settings turned on by default.
- If AI makes a decision about you, like rejecting a job application, you now have a legal right to ask a real person to review it.
- Companies are now required by law to have an easy way for you to complain if you think your data is being misused.
How to protect your data
Companies want your data because it helps them predict what you’ll buy, what you’ll watch, and how you’ll vote. By being careful with what you share, you’re keeping the information in your own hands.
Many chatbots now have a feature where they remember details about you to be more helpful. You can usually go into the settings and turn this off or clear the history.
Before you send a prompt, remove personal details like your full name, email address, phone number, or where you work or study. You can use placeholders like “[Name]” or “[My School]” instead, so AI have access to that information.
If you’re asking a sensitive question (like about health or relationships), check if the AI has a ‘Temporary Chat’ or ‘Incognito’ mode that doesn’t save your data. This would make sure the conversation isn’t saved to your history or used for training.
When you upload a photo, it often contains hidden info like exactly when and where it was taken. This is called metadata. Be careful about uploading original files to AI image editors. Instead, try taking a screenshot of the photo and using that instead, as screenshots usually don’t carry the same location data.
Need to talk?
If you think an app has taken your data without permission, or if you’ve shared something with AI that you now regret, it can feel scary. You don’t have to deal with that stress alone. Talk with Meic.
