Is Your Data Safe with AI? How to Avoid Data Leaks

In an era where technology rapidly transforms our lives, the term AI (Artificial Intelligence) has become something we hear every day—whether on social media, in the news, or even at work. Many people have started using AI tools to help write articles, respond to emails, plan tasks, or generate content automatically. But one common question people have is: Does AI collect our data? And how can we prevent data leaks? In this article, P'Wua shares 5 ways to use AI safely and avoid data leaks, so you can feel more confident using AI—especially now that more people are becoming aware of the importance of protecting their personal information. First, let’s get a deeper understanding of what AI actually is.

What is AI and what can it do?

AI is a technology that enables computers to think, analyze, and make decisions automatically based on the data they receive. Today, AI has advanced significantly in areas such as language, images, sound, and video, helping to reduce repetitive tasks and greatly improve human productivity. If that still feels a bit abstract, P'Wua will give you some real examples:

Examples of AI usage

• Writing and Q&A AI: Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini help generate content, articles, translations, and general answers. In this category, many of you may have already tried using them. If not, give them a shot—they can be fun to interact with!
  
• Design AI: Tools like Midjourney and Canva AI help create images, design logos, or generate illustrations. With these, design tasks become much easier.
  
• Audio and video AI: Tools like ElevenLabs and Runway ML assist with video editing, voice synthesis, or creating professional-looking presentations.
  
• Learning AI: Tools like Perplexity AI and Notion AI help summarize lessons, research information, and organize ideas.
  

For digital professionals, students, or freelancers, AI can make life much easier—saving time, improving work quality, and helping you focus on more important things.

Of course, many people want to try using AI tools, but they wonder: Does AI collect our personal data? Could it be shared? P'Wua has the answers. Let’s move on to the next section.

Does AI record our data?

Whether it's chatbots, search engines, or smart assistants—do they collect our data? Many people may wonder, “How does AI know about me?” or “Is the information I type stored by AI?” The answer is yes—AI does collect our data. But how much and in what way depends on how we use the tools and each provider’s privacy policy.

The reason AI collects data is to learn and improve—so it can respond more accurately and assist us better.

What kind of data does AI collect from us?

AI learns from massive amounts of data, including input from users. In general, AI tends to collect user data in the following ways:

1. User-input data

This is the data we directly provide to AI—whether it's through typing questions, commands, or chatting with the system.

Examples:

• Asking, “Can you recommend a restaurant nearby?”
  
• Commanding, “Set an alarm for 6 a.m.”
  

Even casual conversations with chatbots may be analyzed to better understand user intent and improve responses. In some cases, this data may also be used to train future models (if specified in the provider's privacy policy).

What to watch out for: if you accidentally provide personal or sensitive information—like phone numbers, account numbers, or addresses—that data may also be stored.

2. Usage behavior

AI doesn’t only remember what we type; it also observes how we use the platform. This includes what we click, how long we spend on each page, which features we use most, and what topics we frequently search for.

This behavior data helps AI personalize content recommendations and interface features.

Example:
If you often search for clips about AI technology, the system might recommend similar content next time or adjust how information is displayed to suit your interests.

3. Device information

In addition to our interactions, AI can collect basic data from the devices we use, such as:

• IP address: Indicates where you're connecting from.
  
• Browser type: e.g., Chrome, Safari.
  
• Operating system: e.g., iOS, Android, Windows.
  
• Language settings
  
• Location: if permission is granted.

This information is often used to troubleshoot technical issues (like app crashes), optimize user experience based on device, or detect suspicious behavior (like login attempts from unfamiliar locations).

Furthermore, some AI tools also collect user content—like prompts, commands, or uploaded files—to further train their models. This could raise privacy risks or lead to copyright concerns. That’s why P'Wua has tips for using AI safely without risking data leaks. Let’s dive in:

5 ways to use AI safely and avoid data leaks

1. Avoid inputting personal or sensitive information

Always be cautious of what you feed into AI—names, phone numbers, financial data, or internal company information. Many platforms don’t offer full control or auto-deletion features. If you must use internal data, consider using placeholders instead of real info or consult your organization’s policy.

2. Check the AI service's privacy policy

Each AI platform has different privacy policies. Some clearly state that user data won’t be used for training, while others provide no guarantees. Before using any AI service, review their terms—especially regarding data collection and usage—whether it’s ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Copilot.

3. Choose trustworthy AI providers

Reputable providers are transparent about what user data they collect, how long they store it, and whether users can manage their own data—like deleting usage history or opting out of model training. Picking a provider with clear policies is safer than using free tools with no disclosures.

4. Always use AI on a secure network

Whether you're using a computer or mobile device, avoid using AI tools over unsecured public Wi-Fi (e.g., in cafes, airports, or public places), as your data may be intercepted. If you must use AI in such places, enable a VPN to secure the connection.

5. Use a VPN every time you access AI services online

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your data before it’s sent to AI platforms, preventing eavesdropping and enhancing your privacy by hiding your IP address. More importantly, if you want to access AI tools not yet available in your country—like Claude.ai or Copilot Studio—a VPN can help you switch your virtual location to use those services.

Especially if you're a professional user, freelancer, or business owner, investing in a high-quality VPN is essential. I recommends BullVPN as a reliable option—an essential tool for using AI safely in the long run. Not only does it provide fast and stable connections, but it also gives you peace of mind that your data won't leak outside.