New Survey: How Americans Really Feel About Sharing Their Data with AI

If you’ve ever hesitated before typing a prompt into ChatGPT or worried about what an AI chatbot does with your personal information, you aren’t alone. Recent survey data shows that a growing number of Americans are skeptical about how their data is handled by artificial intelligence tools—and they want the government to step in.

This article breaks down what the latest survey says, why it matters for your privacy, and what you can do right now to limit how much data you give up when using AI.

What happened

In May 2026, Digital Information World reported on a survey that asked Americans about their views on AI and data sharing. The results paint a clear picture: a majority of respondents said they are pessimistic about AI’s impact on personal privacy. An even larger share—overwhelmingly—said they believe stricter government regulation is needed.

These findings align with earlier research from the Pew Research Center (2023), which found that most Americans feel they have little control over how companies collect and use their data. Many people surveyed at that time said they had experienced data breaches or misuse, and trust in major tech firms was already low. The 2026 survey suggests that the rapid adoption of generative AI tools has only deepened those concerns.

Why it matters

AI systems—especially large language models and image generators—depend on massive amounts of data to train and improve. That data often comes from user interactions, public web content, and sometimes from personal information people share without fully understanding the consequences. The survey results reflect a growing gap between how companies are using AI and what consumers feel comfortable with.

Several specific worries come up again and again in the data:

  • Lack of transparency. Many users don’t know whether their chats, uploads, or search queries are stored, used for retraining, or sold to third parties.
  • Permanent retention. Some AI services keep data indefinitely, and opting out can be difficult or impossible.
  • Inference of sensitive details. Even seemingly harmless inputs can be used to infer location, health status, political views, or other private attributes.
  • Weak regulation. The U.S. currently has no comprehensive federal privacy law comparable to Europe’s GDPR, leaving companies to self-regulate.

These aren’t abstract risks. There have been cases where AI chatbots accidentally exposed user conversation histories or where companies admitted to using customer data for training without specific consent.

What readers can do

You don’t have to stop using AI tools to protect yourself. Here are practical steps that work with the most common services today:

  1. Review your settings before you start typing. Most major AI platforms now have a privacy or data control section. Look for options to turn off data training (often labeled “improve the model” or similar). Turn off chat history saving if you don’t need it. Screenshot your settings as a record if needed.

  2. Use a throwaway account for experimentation. Sign up for AI services with an email address that isn’t tied to your personal or work identity. Avoid linking your Google, Apple, or Facebook account unless you fully trust the platform.

  3. Never share sensitive information. Even with privacy settings enabled, don’t paste passwords, Social Security numbers, medical records, financial details, or private correspondence into AI chat boxes. Treat every prompt like a public post.

  4. Choose tools with clear policies. Some AI companies publish straightforward privacy notices and allow you to delete your data permanently. Others bury the details in legalese. If a company can’t explain what it does with your data in plain language, consider a different option.

  5. Opt out where legally required. Under laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) or Europe’s GDPR, you have the right to request that a company delete your data or stop selling it. Even if you aren’t in those regions, many platforms honor these requests globally. Exercise these rights.

  6. Support stronger regulation. Write to your elected representatives or support consumer privacy organizations that push for legislation like the American Data Privacy and Protection Act. The survey shows public opinion is firmly on the side of regulation—politicians need to hear that.

Sources

  • Digital Information World, “Many Americans Pessimistic about AI’s Impact – and Want More Regulation,” May 2026.
  • Pew Research Center, “Key Findings about Americans and Data Privacy,” October 2023.

Numbers cited in this article are drawn from the survey report referenced above. Exact percentages may vary depending on how the question was asked and the sample population.