How to Safeguard Your Privacy While Using AI Tools

The surge in generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Bard, and image generators like Midjourney has made it easier than ever to automate writing, answer questions, or create artwork. But each query you type, each file you upload, and each prompt you enter is data that these platforms collect. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal titled How to Maintain Our Privacy in the AI Age (published June 23, 2026) outlines the growing need for consumers to understand what happens to that data and how to control it. This draft distills the key takeaways from that piece into practical steps you can apply today.

What Happened

The WSJ article addresses a reality many users overlook: when you use a free AI chatbot or cloud-based image generator, you are trading personal data for the service. The article notes that common data collected includes the text you input, usage patterns (such as how long you linger on a response), device information, and location data. While most companies publish privacy policies, these documents are often lengthy and rarely read. The piece emphasizes that the default settings on many AI tools tend to maximize data collection for model training and improvement, rather than prioritizing user privacy.

Why It Matters

This matters because the data you share with AI tools can be used in ways you might not anticipate. Companies may retain your chat logs to refine their models, and in some cases, human reviewers may read those logs to improve accuracy. If you have shared personally identifiable information—such as your full name, address, or medical details—that information could become part of the training set or be exposed in a breach. Moreover, as AI integrates deeper into everyday devices (voice assistants, productivity apps, etc.), the volume of data collected will only increase. Being proactive now reduces the chance of unwelcome surprises later.

What Readers Can Do

You do not need to stop using AI tools to protect your privacy. A few straightforward adjustments can significantly reduce exposure.

1. Read the privacy policy—at least the key parts.
Most platforms have a summary or a “privacy center” that explains how your data is used. Look for options to opt out of using your data for model training. For example, OpenAI offers a way to turn off chat history, which prevents your conversations from being used to improve its models. Google’s Bard and Microsoft’s Bing Chat have similar controls. It is worth spending five minutes to locate these toggles.

2. Turn off chat history or use ephemeral modes.
Many AI tools now provide a private or incognito mode. In ChatGPT, you can disable chat history in settings and choose to have conversations deleted after 30 days or not stored at all. Google Bard offers an option to automatically delete activity after a set period. If you are asking about anything sensitive, use these modes.

3. Do not share personally identifiable information (PII).
This is the simplest rule: treat an AI conversation like a public chat room. Do not paste in your Social Security number, bank account details, home address, or unredacted medical records. Even if a tool claims to be private, the data may still be processed by third parties or retained for debugging. When in doubt, leave it out.

4. Use separate accounts and strong passwords.
Avoid logging into AI services with your primary Google or Apple account if those accounts contain sensitive information. Create a dedicated account for AI use. Use a password manager to generate and store a unique, strong password for each service. Enable two-factor authentication where available.

5. Keep apps and devices updated.
Developers frequently patch security flaws and update privacy controls. Running the latest version ensures you have the most recent protections. This applies both to the AI app itself and to your device’s operating system.

6. Regularly audit and delete stored conversations.
Set a recurring reminder to review your chat history across platforms. Delete conversations you no longer need. Some services allow you to export your data before deletion; consider doing that if you want a backup, then erase the originals.

7. Choose privacy-respecting alternatives when possible.
If you need a tool for a task where privacy is critical, look for open-source or locally running AI models. For instance, offline models like Llama, Mistral, or GPT4All can run on your own computer without sending data to a server. They tend to be less powerful than cloud-based models, but for many writing or code tasks they are sufficient.

Sources

  • Wall Street Journal, “How to Maintain Our Privacy in the AI Age,” June 23, 2026. (Link via Google News: article)
  • OpenAI privacy settings documentation (ChatGPT data controls)
  • Google Bard privacy settings help page
  • Common data collection categories noted in WSJ piece and industry reports.

The key takeaway: privacy in the AI age does not require abandoning useful tools—just a more deliberate approach to how you use them. The steps above are practical, low-effort ways to keep control of your data.