Keeping Private Data Out of AI
Learn what counts as private data and simple habits that keep it from leaking into the AI tools you use every day.
What counts as private data
Private data is anything that could identify or harm a person or your company if it got out. That includes names, home addresses, phone numbers, customer lists, salaries, medical notes, passwords, and contract details. A good test: if you would not post it on a public bulletin board, treat it as private when you use AI.
Where your text can end up
When you type into a public AI tool, your words travel to a company's servers to get an answer. Depending on the tool's settings, that text may be stored, reviewed by staff, or used to improve the model. So pasting a customer's full record into a free chatbot can put their information somewhere you no longer control.
Habits that keep data safe
Before you hit enter, swap real details for placeholders. Instead of a real name and account number, write 'Customer A, account 12345'. Use the AI for the thinking, like drafting a polite reply, then add the private details yourself afterward. When you need to handle real data, use the approved business tool your employer set up, not a random free site.
Key takeaways
- If you would not post it publicly, treat it as private with AI.
- Text you paste into public tools can be stored or reviewed.
- Use placeholders, or stick to the approved business tool.
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