5 AI Tools That Are Quietly Collecting Your Data

Here's what you need to know

Jan 29, 2025

The Hidden Costs of Convenience

AI tools are everywhere. They help you shop smarter, work faster, and even manage your home.

But behind the convenience lies a cost: your data.

Voice assistants, smart home devices, and AI-powered apps aren’t just tools—they’re data-collecting machines. Every command you give, every search you make, every device you use—it’s all being tracked, analyzed, and stored.

Here’s the thing: most of us never stop to ask, “What are they doing with all this data?”

In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain. We’ll explore 5 AI tools you’re probably using right now that are quietly collecting your personal information—and I’ll give you the exact steps to take back control.

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Alright lets find out about these tools!

1: Voice Assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri)

Your voice assistant isn’t just listening—it’s recording.

That’s how it knows to respond when you say “Hey, Alexa” or “Hey, Google.” But what most people don’t realize is that snippets of those recordings are often stored and analyzed—sometimes by humans—to improve accuracy.

Think about it: every command you’ve ever given your voice assistant is sitting on a server somewhere, waiting to be reviewed.

And it’s not just commands.

Background conversations accidentally trigger your Alexa and before you know it all that crap you said about the co-worker you hate is in the cloud.

What You Can Do:

Delete stored recordings: Alexa, Google, and Siri all have settings that let you review and delete voice recordings. Make this a habit.
Mute the mic: When you’re not actively using your assistant, turn off the microphone. It’s a simple way to stop unnecessary recording.
Adjust permissions: Check the privacy settings and disable features that store recordings or allow them to be reviewed.

AI should work for you, not at the expense of your privacy. Taking these steps ensures your assistant doesn’t hear more than it needs to.

Are you team Alexa or team Google? Tell me in the comments

2: Social Media Algorithms (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook)

Social media is so fun.

You share memes, you stay in touch with your old high school friends or family. Sometimes you share a little too much and that’s what the social media companies love—it’s a data goldmine.

Every like, every comment, every second you spend watching a video is tracked.

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook use this data to build an incredibly detailed profile of who you are. They know your preferences, your habits, and even your routines—and they use this information to keep you glued to their apps.

Here’s something you may have heard before: you’re not their customer. You’re their product. And by now this should be very frightening.

Social media algorithms are designed to learn from your behavior and feed you content that keeps you engaged, but the data they collect doesn’t stay on your screen. It’s often sold to advertisers or shared with third parties, giving them insight into everything from your shopping habits to your political preferences.

What You Can Do:

Limit tracking: Turn off ad personalization and tracking in your social media settings. Most platforms bury these options deep, but they’re there.
Be mindful of what you share: Avoid giving away personal details in posts, comments, or even private messages.
Use privacy-friendly alternatives: Consider platforms that prioritize user privacy or limit your social media usage altogether.

Free Resource: Want to take control of your social media privacy?

Download my Social Media Privacy Checklist to review and adjust your settings across major platforms. It’s a quick, actionable guide to help you keep your data safe. Download Here.

Social media is powerful, but it’s important to remember who’s really in control. With a few changes, you can enjoy the perks without sacrificing your privacy.

3: AI-Powered Search Engines (Google Bard, Bing with ChatGPT)

Search engines have evolved. Tools like Google Bard and Bing with ChatGPT don’t just answer your questions—they predict what you’ll ask next.

But there’s a trade-off: the more personalized these tools get, the more data they need about you.

Every query you type tells them something about your life. What you’re curious about. What you’re worried about. What you’re planning next.

Here’s where it gets tricky: this data isn’t just used to improve search results. It’s stored, analyzed, and shared with advertisers or third parties.

Seem a little dystopian? Well guess what, every time you hit Accept on one of those lengthy privacy policies that’s exactly what your letting them do.

Over time, these search engines can build a frighteningly accurate picture of who you are—not just what you search for.

What You Can Do:

Use privacy-focused search engines: Switch to alternatives like DuckDuckGo or Brave Search, which don’t track or store your search history.
Review activity settings: Platforms like Google let you pause or delete your search activity—take advantage of this feature regularly.
Think before you search: Avoid typing overly personal information into search bars. If it’s sensitive, consider finding the answer another way.

Search engines are an incredible tool, but they don’t need to know everything about you. By taking a few precautions, you can get the information you need without giving up your privacy.

4: Smart Home Devices (Thermostats, Cameras, IoT Gadgets)

Let me ask you something: have you ever thought about what your smart home devices know about you?

That thermostat that adjusts to your schedule? It’s tracking when you’re home and when you’re not. Those smart cameras you installed for security? If they’re not properly secured, someone else might be able to watch through them too. Creepy, right?

These devices are built for convenience, and they do a great job at it. But they also collect a ton of data—your daily routines, your location, and sometimes even audio or video from inside your home. And the truth is, most people don’t think twice about where that information goes or how it could be used.

Here’s the good news: you don’t need to ditch your smart gadgets to protect your privacy. You just need to make a few smart changes.

What You Can Do:

Change the default passwords on your devices—those factory-set ones are an open invitation for hackers.
Check your privacy settings and make sure you’re not sharing more than you’re comfortable with.
Set up a separate Wi-Fi network just for your smart devices. It’s like giving them their own playground so they can’t mess with your more important stuff.

If you’re wondering how to lock down your smart devices, I’ve got you covered. I put together a quick IoT Device Security Checklist that walks you through the essentials—changing default passwords, setting up a separate Wi-Fi network, and more.

Grab it here: IoT Device Security Checklist.

It’s simple, straightforward, and will help you make your smart home just a little smarter (and safer).

5: AI Productivity Tools (Grammarly, Notion AI, ChatGPT)

Lastly, let’s talk about the tools that make life easier and are becoming quite popular.

Grammarly fixes your writing, Notion AI organizes your life, and ChatGPT gives you answers in seconds. But here’s the catch: these tools don’t just help you—they also learn from you.

Think about it: when you use Grammarly, you’re sharing every word you write. When you ask ChatGPT for help, it records what you’re asking about.

These tools collect data to improve their performance, but that data can also reveal a lot about you—your habits, your preferences, even sensitive details if you’re not careful.

Does this mean you shouldn’t use them?

Not at all. It just means you need to be smart about how you use them.

What You Can Do:

Don’t input sensitive information: Treat AI tools like public spaces—if it’s private or personal, don’t share it.
Check the privacy policies: Some tools let you turn off data collection or limit what’s stored.
Use offline options: If you need an AI tool but don’t want to share data, look for versions that work locally on your device.

AI productivity tools are amazing, but they shouldn’t come at the cost of your privacy. With a few small tweaks, you can get the benefits without the risks.

Taking Back Control of Your Privacy

AI is everywhere—on your phone, in your home, and in the tools you use every day. While these technologies are powerful and convenient, they don’t need to come at the expense of your privacy. By taking small, intentional steps—like reviewing settings, limiting data sharing, and using privacy-focused tools—you can stay in control of your personal information.

But I want to take it a step further.

If you found these strategies helpful, consider signing up for a paid subscription. I’m running a special Road to 100 promotion where you’ll get 20% off your subscription.

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