"Data Privacy Revealed: How 10 Popular AI Chatbots Handle Your Information"
The Data Dilemma: What AI Apps Are Collecting About You
In today’s digital landscape, artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool for users seeking quick answers, content generation, or information gathering. However, this convenience comes at a cost: your data. A recent report by VPN and security service Surfshark sheds light on the extent of data collection by popular AI chatbots and highlights the implications for user privacy.
The AI Data Landscape
Surfshark’s analysis examined 10 widely-used AI chatbots: ChatGPT, Claude AI, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, Grok, Jasper, Meta AI, Microsoft Copilot, Perplexity, Pi, and Poe. The report analyzed privacy details from Apple’s App Store and scrutinized the privacy policies of the most pertinent apps. The aim? To uncover the types and volume of data collected—ranging from basic identifiers to sensitive personal information.
What Data Types Are Collected?
The Surfshark report focused on 35 different data types, including contact information, health and fitness data, financial information, and, notably, sensitive data like ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation, and political opinions. The findings were startling: all 10 AI applications gathered at least some user data, with an average of 13 out of 35 types collected.
- Location Tracking: Nearly 45% of these applications collect location data.
- User Tracking: About 30% track user data linked with third parties for targeted advertisements.
Who’s Collecting What?
Top Offenders
Surfshark’s assessment pinpointed Meta AI as the most significant data collector, amassing 32 out of 35 data types. Notably, it collects sensitive information, financial data, and health-related information. Additionally, it is one of the few apps that uses personally identifiable information to deliver targeted third-party ads.
Following closely is Google Gemini, which collects 22 different types of user data, including precise location and search history.
Ranked Among the Top Five:
- Meta AI: 32 data types
- Google Gemini: 22 data types
- Poe: 14 data types
- Claude AI: 13 data types
- Microsoft Copilot: 12 data types
Interestingly, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI, ranked in the middle with 11 data types collected. While it has received praise for its performance, its origins raise concerns, particularly given that its data is sent to China Mobile—an entity with national security implications due to its previous ban in the U.S.
ChatGPT’s Privacy Approach
In contrast, ChatGPT has a relatively favorable standing, collecting only 10 types of data. OpenAI’s model fortifies user privacy by not tracking data or using third-party ads. Users can even utilize temporary chats for enhanced privacy, ensuring data is auto-deleted after 30 days.
The Rest of the Pack
Completing the list are Grok, Pi, and Jasper, which show varying degrees of data collection, with Jasper trailing last but still gathering sufficient data to potentially facilitate targeted advertising.
The Price of Convenience
The need to collect user data is not unique to AI chatbots; it’s a common practice in various apps, social media platforms, and services. Often, users accept this tradeoff for free or inexpensive offerings. However, there are proactive steps you can take to safeguard your data.
What Can You Do?
- Review Privacy Policies: Always investigate the privacy policies of any AI you engage with to understand what data is collected and how it’s used.
- Utilize Privacy Features: Most AI applications offer settings to limit data collection. Familiarize yourself with these options to take charge of your data.
- Stay Informed: Awareness is key. Regularly check for updates or reports like Surfshark’s to remain informed about the landscape of data privacy in AI.
Conclusion
Using AI can significantly enhance your productivity and provide answers at lightning speed, but it’s vital to remain vigilant about your digital footprint. By critically analyzing the data collection practices of AI applications, you can make more informed decisions and retain greater control over your personal information. Want to stay updated on the latest in AI and data security? Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Innovation.