The short answer. Never put these into a general AI chatbot:
- Passwords and account logins
- Full bank, card or brokerage numbers
- Social Security or government ID numbers
- Medical records and health details
- Other people's personal information
Treat AI like a sharp assistant whose work you always review, useful, but not a vault for secrets.
Why it matters
Many consumer chatbots retain your conversations, and some use what you type to improve their models unless you turn that off. Assume anything you paste could be stored. That's fine for a draft email; it's not fine for your bank login or a client's private file.
What to keep out, and why
- Credentials. No legitimate tool needs your passwords. Sharing them is the fastest path to account takeover.
- Financial details. Account numbers and statements don't belong in a chat window.
- Health and legal matters. Sensitive, and AI is not a substitute for a doctor or lawyer.
- Other people's data. Sharing someone else's personal information can breach their privacy and your obligations.
How to use AI safely anyway
Use one trusted tool on a paid or business tier that states it doesn't train on your inputs. Turn on the available privacy controls. Never give AI access to bank or investment accounts, and never let it make medical or legal decisions. For businesses, the same logic applies to staff, see how to train your team and set boundaries early.
Watch for scams, too
Privacy isn't only about what you type, it's about who's asking. AI now powers convincing voice and impersonation scams. Learn the signs in our guide to spotting AI voice and impersonation scams.
Frequently asked questions
What should you never share with an AI chatbot?
Never share passwords or account logins, full financial account numbers, government IDs, medical records, or other people's personal information. Keep confidential legal, employee and customer data out of general AI tools until an account is properly configured for it.
Is it safe to put personal documents into AI?
It can be, with the right account. Consumer chatbots may use your inputs to train their models unless you turn that off. Use a business or paid tier that states it doesn't train on your data, and keep truly sensitive documents out until you've checked the settings.
Does AI remember what I tell it?
Often yes. Many tools retain conversation history and some use it to improve their models. Assume anything you paste could be stored, so don't paste anything you'd be uncomfortable having retained.
How do I use AI safely for personal tasks?
Use one trusted tool, turn on the available privacy settings, never give it banking or investment access, never let it make medical or legal decisions, and always review its output before you rely on it.
Based on current AI provider data practices and consumer-protection guidance from the Federal Trade Commission.