How to opt out of AI data collection in popular apps

Most AI platforms use your conversations to train their systems by default. Learn how to turn off data collection on ChatGPT, Google, Alexa and Siri. Privacy How to opt out of AI data collection in popular apps Adjusting your settings across all major platforms takes roughly 15 minutes, according to a privacy guide By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report Fox News Published April 4, 2026 2:43pm EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video 'There's no sense of privacy involved': Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson warns AI users' privacy could be at risk Tech expert Kurt 'CyberGuy' Knutsson discusses tips on how to protect your data amid AI privacy concerns and Ford filing a patent to bring the stick shift to electric vehicles. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Every time you ask ChatGPT a question, say "Hey Siri," or let Google finish your sentence, something else may happen in the background. In many cases, you are helping train the AI that responds to you. Most people do not realize this. However, many AI platforms use conversations to improve their systems. As a result, your questions, your voice and your habits can be stored and reused by some of the world's largest tech companies.That said, you are not stuck with these settings. You can turn off much of this data collection if you know where to look. Even better, it only takes about 15 minutes across the major platforms. Here is exactly how. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com — trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. 5 SIMPLE TECH TIPS TO TAKE BACK CONTROL OF YOUR SOCIAL MEDIAWhat AI apps are quietly collecting about youAI assistants are designed to feel like a private conversation. But depending on the platform, what's collected often goes well beyond what you typed or said:Full conversation transcriptsVoice recordings and audio clipsLocation data and device identifiersBrowsing habits and search historyNames, routines, and personal details you mention in passingApp usage patterns across your devices. Almost none of this is turned off by default. You have to go find the switch yourself.Think about what you've actually shared latelyHere's a quick thought experiment. In the last month, have you asked an AI assistant about:A health symptom you were worried about?A financial decision you were weighing?A family situation you needed advice on?Your child's schedule, school, or activities? Each detail seems harmless on its own. But together, they create a surprisingly detailed picture of your life—one that could be stored indefinitely, reviewed by human contractors, or exposed in a data breach. In 2023, Samsung engineers accidentally leaked sensitive internal code by pasting it into ChatGPT. Most people don't have an IT department watching out for them. But everyone can take a few minutes to adjust their settings.How to opt out platform by platformThis doesn't mean you should stop using AI tools. They can be incredibly useful. But it's worth understanding what's being collected—and what you can turn off right now.1) ChatGPT (OpenAI)By default, your conversations may be used to help improve AI models, but you can turn this off at any time. To turn this off:Open ChatGPTTap or click your profile iconSelect SettingsGo to Data ControlsToggle off "Improve the model for everyone"You can also go to Settings > Data Controls > Export data to download everything OpenAI has stored, or select Delete all chats to wipe your history. Note that even with training off, OpenAI retains conversations for up to 30 days for safety monitoring. Turning off "Improve the model for everyone" stops your ChatGPT conversations from being used for training. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)2) Google (Gemini & AI features)Google's AI tools, including Gemini and Search's AI Overviews, are tied to your Google account activity. To manage this:Go to myactivity.google.comSelect Web & App Activity and turn it off, or set auto-delete to 3 monthsSeparately, visit gemini.google.com > Settings > Gemini Apps Activity and toggle it off Keep in mind: disabling activity tracking may affect personalization across Gmail, Maps, and other Google services.DATA BROKERS ACCUSED OF HIDING OPT-OUT PAGES FROM GOOGLE Google’s Gemini activity settings show how your AI interactions may still be stored unless you delete them. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)3) Microsoft Copilot Copilot is built into Windows, Microsoft 365 and Edge, so it can access a wide range of your documents and activity.To adjust your settings:Go to account.microsoft.com/privacy and sign inClick Privacy in the left-hand menuScroll to App and service activity, and review your recent activityClick Clear all activities or remove individual itemsScroll down to App and service performance data, and clear that data if availableScroll further and select Copilot, then tap Manage data from Mic