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What never to paste into a chatbot

A simple list to keep you, your family and your work safe, plus how to spot an answer AI made up.

By Heather Barnett · 5 min read

AI tools are wonderful, but they aren't a diary or a vault. A good rule: don't paste anything you wouldn't want a stranger to read. Here's what that means in practice.

Never paste these

• Passwords and login codes, including the ones texted to your phone.
• Social Security numbers, driver's license or passport numbers.
• Bank account and credit card numbers.
• Your kids' personal details, like full names with their school, schedule or photos.
• Other people's private information, like a friend's medical news or a coworker's personal situation.
• Confidential work information, like client data, contracts or anything your employer hasn't approved for AI tools. When in doubt, check your company's policy first.

Strip out the details instead

You can still get help with sensitive things. Just remove what identifies anyone.

You get the same useful help without sharing anything you shouldn't.

Check your settings

Most AI tools have privacy settings, including options about whether your conversations can be used to improve their products. Take two minutes to look through them and choose what you're comfortable with.

How to spot a made-up answer

AI can sound completely confident and still be wrong. It sometimes invents facts, numbers, quotes and even sources. Before you rely on an answer:

• Be extra careful with specifics: dates, statistics, prices, laws and medical or legal guidance.
• Ask where it came from, then check that the source actually exists and says what AI claims.
• Ask it directly: "How sure are you about this, and what might you have wrong?"
• For anything important, confirm with a trusted source or a real professional.