5 things you should never paste into ChatGPT
AI chatbots save hours of work. You just need to know what doesn't belong in them.
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot are great helpers. But whatever you type goes to their provider's servers. With free versions your conversations may be used for further training unless you switch that off in the settings. So there's one simple rule: don't paste into AI anything you wouldn't pin to a public noticeboard.
1. Passwords and logins
Not even “just for a second”, not even in a code sample. A password, API key or PIN has no place in a conversation.
2. ID numbers, documents and card numbers
Need help with a form? Replace personal details with made-up ones – the AI will help just the same.
3. Client, pupil and patient data
Names, contacts, marks, health information. Besides the risk of a leak there's GDPR – you're responsible for this data.
4. Internal company documents
Contracts, quotes, figures, strategy. Business versions of AI tools have different terms and don't train on your data – but free versions aren't business versions.
5. Anything you'd hate to see elsewhere
Private messages, photos of documents, other people's personal problems. When in doubt, leave it out.
How to use AI safely
- Before pasting text, remove names and numbers and replace them with [NAME], [COMPANY].
- Turn off training on your conversations in the settings, if the tool offers it.
- For a company, consider a business version with clear terms.
In a workshop we go through setting the tools up safely and writing prompts that work without sensitive data. Try the free mini lesson for a taste.