How I Keep My Personal Info Out of AI’s Hands (And You Can Too)

How I Keep My Personal Information Out of A.I.’s Hands (And How You Can Too)

If you’ve been hearing more about artificial intelligence lately, you’re not alone.

Everywhere you look, there’s talk about A.I. writing emails, answering questions, creating images, and even talking like a real person. And at some point, almost everyone asks the same question:

“Is A.I. collecting my personal information?”

That’s a fair question. And it’s a smart one.

I help people with their computers every single day, and lately I’ve noticed something interesting. People aren’t just worried about viruses or scams anymore — they’re worried about who is watching, what is being collected, and where their information is going.

The good news is this:
You don’t need to panic.
You don’t need to unplug everything.
And you definitely don’t need to understand how A.I. works behind the scenes.

What you do need are a few good habits and a clear understanding of what actually puts your personal information at risk — and what doesn’t.

Let me walk you through it in plain English.

First Things First: What A.I. Can and Can’t Do

Let’s clear up one big misunderstanding right away.

A.I. does not magically know who you are.

It doesn’t automatically see your emails.
It doesn’t secretly read your files.
It doesn’t have access to your bank account or personal documents.

A.I. systems learn from:

• Public information

• Data that companies are allowed to collect

• Information people choose to type in or upload

In other words, A.I. mostly learns from what humans give it.

That means your privacy depends far more on your habits and settings than on A.I. itself.

The #1 Rule I Follow: Don’t Share What You Wouldn’t Tell a Stranger

This rule alone protects more people than any piece of software ever could.

If a website, app, or chatbot asks for:

• Your Social Security number

• Bank account or credit card details

• Login passwords

• Medical information

• Copies of personal documents

Stop right there.

No legitimate A.I. tool needs that information.

If you wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and tell them those details, you shouldn’t type them into a website or app either — A.I. or not.

Why Free Services Are Often the Biggest Risk

Here’s something most people don’t realize:

If a service is free, you are often the product.

Free apps, games, and websites make money by collecting data — not necessarily to do anything evil, but to:

• Target ads

• Analyze behavior

• Improve their systems

• Sell anonymous data to partners

That’s why I always tell people to be extra careful with:

• Free “helper” apps

• Free online storage

• Free games on phones and tablets

• Random tools you’ve never heard of before

Paid services usually have clearer privacy policies because their business model doesn’t depend on collecting everything they can.

Privacy Settings: Boring, But Powerful

Most websites and apps now offer privacy controls — but they’re often buried and written in confusing language.

The good news? You usually only need to do this once.

Look for settings that say things like:

• “Limit data sharing”

• “Turn off personalization”

• “Do not use my data to train A.I.”

• “Opt out of data collection”

You don’t have to read every word. Just look for options that reduce sharing and tracking.

And no — changing these settings will not “break” your computer or phone.

Email, Uploads, and Cloud Storage: What to Know

Anything you:

• Email

• Upload to a website

• Store in free online services

…exists somewhere outside your computer.

That doesn’t mean it’s automatically unsafe. It does mean you should think twice before storing or sending:

• Tax documents

• Scans of IDs

• Legal paperwork

• Medical records

For sensitive information, I usually recommend:

• Keeping a local copy on your computer

• Using a password-protected file

• Avoiding unnecessary uploads “just because it’s convenient”

Convenience is great — until it isn’t.

A.I. Isn’t the Biggest Threat — Outdated Computers Are

This might surprise you.

Most privacy problems I see have nothing to do with A.I.

They come from:

• Computers that haven’t been updated in years

• Old versions of Windows or macOS

• Expired security software

• Unwanted programs running in the background

Outdated systems are easier to exploit, and that’s how information leaks usually happen.

Keeping your computer updated does more to protect your personal data than worrying about A.I. ever will.

Web Browsers Matter More Than People Think

Your web browser is the front door to your information.

If it’s cluttered with:

• Old extensions

• Toolbars you don’t recognize

• “Helpful” add-ons you never use

…then you’re inviting problems.

I recommend:

• Removing extensions you don’t absolutely need

• Keeping only trusted add-ons

• Updating your browser regularly

A clean browser equals a safer browsing experience.

Be Careful With “Smart” Features You Don’t Use

Many apps and devices now come with “smart” features enabled by default.

Voice assistants, smart suggestions, auto-complete tools — they can be helpful, but only if you actually use them.

If you don’t:

• Turn them off

• Disable permissions you don’t need

• Limit microphone and camera access

Less access = less data collected.

Social Media: You’re Sharing More Than You Think

Social media doesn’t just collect what you post.

It also pays attention to:

• What you like

• What you click

• How long you look at something

• What you search for

That data can be used to train algorithms — including A.I.

My advice?

• Don’t overshare personal details

• Avoid posting phone numbers, addresses, or schedules

• Review privacy settings once in a while

You don’t need to quit social media — just use it wisely.

How to Tell When a Tool or App Isn’t Worth Trusting

Here are a few red flags I watch for:

• No clear privacy policy

• Overly broad permissions

• Pressure to “sign up now”

• Promises that sound too good to be true

• Requests for information that don’t make sense

If something feels off, trust that instinct.

The Calm Truth About A.I. and Your Privacy

A.I. is a tool.

Like any tool, it can be used responsibly or irresponsibly — but it doesn’t act on its own.

Most privacy issues come down to:

• What we install

• What we click

• What we share

• What we forget to update

That’s good news, because it means you have control.

RELATED: Federal Trade Commission – Consumer Privacy & Data Security

My Bottom-Line Advice

You don’t need to fear A.I.
You don’t need to avoid technology.
And you definitely don’t need to feel overwhelmed.

You just need:

• Good habits

• Updated systems

• Clear boundaries about what you share

And if you ever want someone to:

• Check your privacy settings

• Clean up your computer

• Make sure nothing sketchy is running

• Explain all of this without tech jargon

That’s exactly what I do — every day.

No pressure. No upselling. Just honest help.

— That Tech Jeff