What you should never type into an AI chatbot is the subject of today’s post. In my last couple of posts, I’ve been showing you the good that AI can do — how it can interview you, write in your voice, and be a genuinely helpful tool. I stand by every bit of that. But being a helpful tool and being a private one are two different things, and today I want to make sure you know the difference.

So before you type your next word into ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or any of the others, hang with me for four minutes. This one’s important, and as always, I’ll keep it in plain English.

“An AI chatbot isn’t a private diary. It’s more like a conversation in a crowded room — assume someone else can hear you.”

Where Does It All Go?

Here’s the part most folks never stop to think about. When you type something into an AI chatbot, that message doesn’t just vanish when you close the window. Depending on the service and your settings, it can be stored on their servers, used to train the AI, and in some cases reviewed by real human employees to improve the system.

That doesn’t make these companies villains — it’s just how the tools work. But it does mean you should treat anything you type like it might be seen by someone else someday. And companies get hacked; data leaks happen. The safest assumption is simple: if you wouldn’t put it on a postcard, don’t put it in a chatbot.

With that in mind, here’s my “Never List.”

The Never List – What You Should NEVER Type Into an AI Chatbot

Passwords and login information. This should be number one for everybody. Never type a password, PIN, or the answers to your security questions into a chatbot. There is no good reason to, and every reason not to.

Social Security numbers, credit card, and bank account numbers. Anything that’s a key to your money or your identity stays out. No exceptions. If a chatbot ever asks you for one of these, that alone is a red flag.

Personal health details. It’s tempting to describe your symptoms and ask the AI what’s wrong — and a general question is fine. But don’t hand over your medical history, test results, or anything you’d consider private between you and your doctor. That’s your business, and it shouldn’t live on someone else’s server.

Other people’s private information. This is the one folks forget. If you’re a business owner, don’t paste in your clients’ names, addresses, or account details. If you’re helping a family member, leave their private information out of it. Their secrets aren’t yours to share, even by accident.

Confidential work or business information. Company financials, contracts, anything marked confidential or under a non-disclosure agreement — keep it out of consumer chatbots. Plenty of businesses have learned this one the hard way.

Anything you wouldn’t want made public. When in doubt, that’s the rule that covers everything else. If seeing it on the front page would make you cringe, don’t type it.

How to Use AI and Still Keep Your Secrets

Now, don’t read all that and swear off AI — that’s not what I’m after. You can use these tools every day and stay perfectly safe with a few simple habits.

Use placeholders. Instead of typing a real name, type “my client” or “a friend.” Instead of your real address, type “my city.” The AI can still help you with the task without ever knowing the private details.

Check your settings. Most of the big AI tools now have a privacy setting that lets you turn off using your chats for training, and an option to delete your history. It’s worth five minutes to go find those switches and set them the way you want.

Look for a “temporary” or private chat mode. Several tools now offer a temporary chat that isn’t saved or used for training — handy when you want to ask something more sensitive.

For the truly private stuff, skip the AI altogether. Some things just don’t belong in a chatbot. That’s not a limitation of the tool — it’s good judgment.

Don’t Be Scared — Be Smart

Same message I always leave you with: there’s no need to be afraid of AI. It’s a wonderful tool, and I’ll keep showing you the good it can do. But it’s a tool that lives on somebody else’s computer, and a little common sense about what you feed it keeps you out of trouble.

Do me a favor and forward this one to a friend or family member — especially anyone who’s just starting to play with AI and might not realize their “private” chat isn’t so private. A quick read now could save someone a big headache later.

As always, if you’ve got questions, reach out. Helping you use technology safely is what we do here at Keystone Computer Concepts.

Until next time — stay safe out there!

— John