The Dark Side of AI Chatbots
Who’s Really Listening to Your Conversations?
AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and the recently released DeepSeek have become part of everyday life. They help us write emails, draft documents, brainstorm ideas, and even plan meals or shopping lists. The convenience they offer is undeniable.
But as these tools become more integrated into our daily routines, questions around privacy and data security are becoming more urgent. What happens to the information you share with these bots? And what risks might you be exposing yourself—or your business—to without realizing it?
These tools are constantly collecting data. Some are more transparent about it than others, but data collection is part of how they work. The key question is: how much of your data are they gathering, and what are they doing with it?
How Chatbots Collect and Use Your Data
When you interact with AI chatbots, your inputs don’t just disappear. Here’s a breakdown of what happens behind the scenes:
Data Collection
Chatbots process everything you type—whether it’s a casual question or sensitive business information. This includes:
- Personal details
- Business data
- Potentially confidential or proprietary content
Data Storage
Different platforms handle your data in different ways, but most store some portion of your activity. Here’s how a few major players approach data handling:
- ChatGPT (OpenAI): Collects prompts, device details, your location, and usage patterns. Data may be shared with third-party vendors to help improve their services.
- Microsoft Copilot: Gathers the same types of data as OpenAI, plus your browsing history and interactions across Microsoft apps. This data can be used to personalize ads and train AI models.
- Google Gemini: Logs your conversations to improve Google services and machine learning. Conversations may be reviewed by human evaluators and kept for up to three years—even if you delete your activity. Google currently says this data isn’t used for targeted ads, but privacy policies can change.
- DeepSeek: Goes further by collecting prompts, chat history, location data, device info, and even typing patterns. This data is used for training AI, targeting ads, and user behavior analysis—and of critical note: this data is stored on servers in the People’s Republic of China.
Data Usage
In most cases, your data is used to improve performance, train AI models, and personalize experiences. But these uses often raise questions around consent, data ownership, and how secure your information really is.
Potential Risks to Users
Using AI chatbots can create several real-world risks:
Privacy Concerns
Chatbot interactions can involve sensitive or private data. That data may be reviewed by humans or shared with third parties—opening the door to misuse or accidental exposure. For example, Microsoft Copilot has faced criticism over the risk of exposing confidential information due to how permissions are handled.
Security Vulnerabilities
Chatbots that are connected to broader platforms may be exploited by attackers. Research has shown that tools like Microsoft Copilot could be used for malicious activities such as phishing or unauthorized data access.
Compliance Issues
If you’re using chatbots in a business setting, you may face regulatory challenges. Tools that don’t comply with data privacy laws like GDPR or HIPAA could expose your company to legal penalties. That’s why some organizations are restricting or banning the use of tools like ChatGPT altogether.
How to Protect Yourself
While chatbots can be useful, it’s important to protect yourself and your organization by being aware of how they operate.
- Be Mindful of What You Share
Avoid entering sensitive, confidential, or personally identifiable information into any AI chatbot—especially if you’re not sure where that data will go.
- Review Each Tool’s Privacy Policy
Before using a chatbot, take time to understand its data-handling practices. Many platforms offer privacy settings, including options to opt out of data retention or sharing.
- Use Available Privacy Controls
If you’re using chatbots in a business environment, tools like Microsoft Purview can help manage privacy risks and maintain data governance standards.
- Stay Informed
These tools evolve rapidly. Regularly review updates to privacy policies and platform settings so you know what’s changing and how it could affect your data.
The Bottom Line
AI chatbots can boost productivity and simplify tasks, but they come with privacy and security trade-offs. Knowing how these tools collect, store, and use your data is essential—especially in a business environment.
Every conversation with AI is a data exchange—make sure you’re not giving away more than you get.
