Key takeaway

Use AI but treat permissions like keys to your house. You don't give every visitor every key. Give an AI service access to what it needs, understand how that information is handled, and remove access when you no longer need the feature. Convenience is valuable. So is your data.

Artificial intelligence is no longer something you have to open in a separate chatbot. It is increasingly appearing inside the apps already holding pieces of your digital life. Email. Photos. Documents. Search. Messaging. Calendars. Browsers. Smartphones.

And that creates an important question: How much information are we giving AI in exchange for convenience? Imagine asking your phone: “What time is my flight tomorrow, find the booking email, tell me when I should leave home and remind me to take my passport.”

For an AI assistant to answer that properly, it may need access to your email, calendar, location and possibly other connected services. That can be extremely useful. It also means the AI potentially has access to information that would once have remained separated across several apps.

Google, for example, says Gemini can work with connected services and, depending on the features and settings being used, information processed can include emails, files, events, photos, videos, contacts and location information.

Apple is taking a somewhat different approach with Apple Intelligence. Apple says requests are processed on-device where possible, while more demanding requests can use its Private Cloud Compute system. Apple says data sent through that system is used to fulfil the request and is not retained by Private Cloud Compute.

And services such as ChatGPT also provide controls over how consumer conversations may be used. OpenAI says users can turn off the setting that allows future conversations to be used for model improvement, and Temporary Chats are not used to train models.

So, is AI stealing your data? That would be the wrong conclusion. The more accurate issue is that different AI products have different data practices, permissions and privacy controls. And many users simply click Allow without knowing what they have enabled.

The real question is therefore not: “Is AI dangerous?” It is: “Does this AI need access to this information to do what I am asking?” That is the habit users need to develop.

Step-by-step

Step-by-Step Instructions on how to perform a basic AI privacy check

Step 1 — Review app permissions

Open your device privacy settings and see which AI-enabled applications can access your microphone, camera, contacts, photos and location.

Step 2 — Open the AI application's privacy settings

Look for settings labelled Privacy, Activity, Data Controls, History or Personalisation.

Step 3 — Review connected applications

Check whether the AI is connected to email, cloud storage, calendars, photos or other services.

Step 4 — Check activity retention

Determine whether conversations are saved and whether automatic deletion is available.

Step 5 — Check model-improvement settings

Find out whether your conversations may be used to improve AI models and whether you can opt out.

Step 6 — Delete unnecessary historical activity

Where available, remove conversations or activity you no longer want stored.

Step 7 — Remove unnecessary connections

Disconnect services that you no longer use with the AI assistant.

Step 8 — Repeat periodically

AI features and privacy settings change, so review your permissions after major app updates.

Common mistakes

  • Clicking “Allow” without checking permissions.
  • Sharing sensitive information unnecessarily.
  • Leaving unused app connections active.
Pros

+ Saves time across connected apps.

+ Can provide more personalised help.

+ Some platforms offer useful privacy controls.

Consider

— Check what data the AI can access.

— Review storage and training settings.

— Only grant permissions you actually need.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Does using AI mean giving away all your personal data? No. What information an AI service processes depends on the service, the features you use, the permissions you grant and your privacy settings.

Should I connect AI to my email?

Only if the functionality is useful to you and you understand the provider's data practices. Review the permissions before connecting an inbox containing sensitive information.

Can I stop AI companies from using conversations for training?

Some services provide controls that allow this, but settings differ between providers. Check the application's current privacy documentation.

Should I delete AI conversations?

Deleting conversations you no longer need can be sensible privacy hygiene, but deletion and retention rules differ between services.

Sources & verification notes

Source 1 - Google Gemini Apps Privacy Hub

Source type: Primary / Official

Verification status: Verified

Source 2 - Apple Intelligence & Privacy

Source type: Primary / Official

Verification status: Verified

Source 3 - OpenAI Consumer Privacy / Data Controls

Source type: Primary / Official

Verification status: Verified

Found an error, outdated step or safety concern? Contact the desk.