Staying Safe

Protecting Your Privacy

What to share with AI and what to keep to yourself

When you use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, you're having a conversation with a computer system. That system remembers what you type, at least for a while. So it's worth thinking about what information you're comfortable sharing.

This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being smart. Here's what you need to know.

What Happens to Your Conversations?

When you chat with an AI, your conversations may be:

→Stored on their servers — Usually for a period of time
→Used to improve the AI — Some services use conversations to train their systems (though you can often opt out)
→Reviewed by humans occasionally — For quality control and safety

Reputable AI companies have privacy policies and security measures. But the safest information is information you never share in the first place.

Never Share These With AI

Keep private:

✕Social Security number — Never, for any reason
✕Bank account numbers — Including routing numbers
✕Credit card numbers — Full numbers, expiration dates, CVV codes
✕Passwords — To any account, anywhere
✕Driver's license number
✕Passport number
✕Medicare or insurance ID numbers
✕Full birth date combined with other identifying info

Be Cautious With These

Some information isn't dangerous by itself but could be problematic:

→Your full address — City and state are usually fine, full street address is not needed
→Your full name — Consider using just a first name or nickname
→Specific medical details — General questions are fine; detailed medical histories may not be
→Financial details — Exact balances, account specifics
→Information about others — Family members' personal details

Safe Ways to Get Help

You can still get great help from AI without sharing sensitive details. Here's how:

Instead of:

"I'm John Smith, born March 15, 1958, Social Security number 123-45-6789, and I need help with my Medicare claim."

Try:

"I need help understanding how to appeal a Medicare claim that was denied. What's the process?"

Instead of:

"My bank account at First National, account number 987654321, was overcharged $50."

Try:

"I noticed an overcharge on my bank account. How do I dispute a charge with my bank?"

You get the same helpful information without exposing anything sensitive.

What About Health Questions?

Health questions are common — and that's fine. Here's the safe approach:

Safe to share:

✓General symptoms ("I've been having headaches")
✓Medication names you want to understand
✓General questions about conditions
✓Questions about what medical terms mean

Skip sharing:

✕Your medical record numbers
✕Full medical history with dates and locations
✕Insurance policy numbers
✕Doctor and hospital names (not needed for general questions)

Privacy Settings in AI Tools

Most AI tools have privacy options. Here's what to look for:

→Chat history settings — You can often turn off chat history so conversations aren't saved
→Training opt-out — You can usually opt out of having your conversations used to train the AI
→Delete conversations — Most tools let you delete your conversation history

Look for "Settings" or "Privacy" in the menu of your AI tool. The exact location varies, but it's usually there.

Questions AI Shouldn't Need to Ask

Be suspicious if an AI tool asks for:

→Credit card information (legitimate AI has payment through proper account pages, not in chat)
→Login credentials to other accounts
→Government ID numbers
→Permission to access your files or contacts

Real AI assistants don't need this information to help you.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

Before typing something into AI, ask yourself:

"Would I be comfortable if this information were printed in a newspaper?"

If the answer is no, find a way to ask your question without that specific information.

Being Smart Without Being Fearful

Privacy concerns are real, but they shouldn't stop you from using AI. The key is thoughtful sharing:

→Share enough context to get good help
→Don't share specific identifying numbers
→Use general descriptions instead of exact details
→Check privacy settings when you first start using a new AI tool

The bottom line: Treat AI conversations like a public conversation. Keep the truly sensitive stuff private, but don't be afraid to ask for help with everyday questions. A little common sense goes a long way.

Want more practical AI tips?

Subscribe to Speak Human for real guidance, no jargon, no hype.

Subscribe Free

About Speak Human

I help people like you feel confident using AI in everyday life. No jargon, no judgment, just practical guidance.