Every AI tool processes something personal. A recording of a meeting. A half-finished draft. A question you would not ask a colleague. Where that data goes, how long it stays, and whether it trains a future model are the questions worth asking before you upload anything.
Four questions to ask of any AI tool
- Is my content used for training? Look for a clear yes or no, not an ambiguity.
- How long is it retained? "Indefinitely" and "until you delete it" are very different answers.
- Who can see it? Staff access for support is normal; unlimited access is not.
- Can I delete it, and does deletion mean deletion?
Free tools and the price of free
Free software is paid for somehow. Sometimes that is advertising, sometimes a paid tier, sometimes your data. None of those is automatically wrong, but you should know which one you are choosing.
Habits that protect you regardless of vendor
Strip identifying details you do not need the tool to see. Keep client and patient material out of general-purpose assistants. Ask consent before recording other people. Good habits cover the gap between a privacy policy and reality.
question, a draft. Where that data goes, how long it is kept and whether it trains a future model are the questions worth asking before you upload anything.These guides cover the security of transcription, the trade-offs hidden in free tools, and the habits that keep you in control.
