The Chat That’s Listening Back
They’re polite, efficient, and available 24/7 — what’s not to love about chatbots? But beneath the friendly “Hi! How can I help you today?” lies a quiet truth: some of these bots aren’t just helping, they’re harvesting.
Most customer-service bots and AI chat assistants collect and store every keystroke. Some even share that data across marketing networks or third-party vendors without your knowledge.
It’s not evil — just *unseen*. That’s what makes it risky.
What Chatbots Really Collect
Whenever you use a chatbot — whether on a retail site, your bank’s homepage, or a social media app — you’re probably feeding it more than you realise.
Common data collected includes:
- Names, email addresses, and phone numbers entered during conversations.
- Location and IP details that identify your region or even your device.
- Purchase history, browsing behaviour, and referral links.
- Conversation logs that can be used for “training” or “service improvement.”
The Hidden Privacy Problem
When chatbots are powered by AI, they often rely on third-party platforms for processing — meaning your chat might not stay where you think it does.
Here’s the catch: even if the business itself means well, the platform provider might use chat transcripts to train its own AI models. That means your information could end up mixed into a global dataset — potentially accessible to others if leaks or breaches occur.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it mirrors the risks from AI in Disguise — same concept, different costume.
Recent Examples
- Car dealership chat leaks (2024): Thousands of customer details exposed after a chatbot vendor’s unsecured API was found online.
- Healthcare AI bot mishandling data: A hospital chatbot logged sensitive patient info in plain text for months before discovery.
- Retail AI misuse: A well-known UK retailer admitted its chatbot was recording customer complaints *and emotions* to “improve tone matching.”
Incidents like these show how easily good intentions turn invasive when data collection goes unchecked.
For broader context on how these hidden systems connect, read our piece on Data Brokers: The Companies You’ve Never Heard of That Know Everything About You.
How to Spot an Over-Curious Chatbot
Before you start typing your life story into that box, pause and look for these red flags:
- No privacy notice: Reputable sites link to a clear chatbot privacy policy.
- Overly personal questions: “What’s your date of birth?” should raise eyebrows unless it’s a verified service.
- Requests for sensitive info: Legit bots will never ask for passwords or payment details.
- Third-party branding: If you see “powered by” in small text, that means your data’s going elsewhere too.
Protecting Your Conversations
It’s not about ditching chatbots altogether — it’s about being aware of what they’re doing.
- Read the small print: Look for AI disclosure and privacy terms before you chat.
- Use guest modes: Some bots offer anonymous interaction — use it when you can.
- Clear your cookies and cache: Many bots track return users via session data.
- Keep sensitive info offline: If you wouldn’t post it on social media, don’t tell a bot.
For more on protecting personal data, the NCSC offers plain-English advice for individuals and small businesses.
Key Takeaway
Chatbots are like friendly shop assistants who never forget a conversation — ever. The convenience they offer often hides a trade-off: your privacy.
Once your words are stored in a database, you lose control over where they go next. Awareness is your best defence.
Final Word
AI chatbots aren’t going away — they’re evolving fast. The key is learning how to talk to them safely. Keep your info minimal, your awareness high, and your curiosity healthy.
At The Cyber Workshop, we translate complex risks into real-world advice you can act on. Because online safety shouldn’t sound like science fiction — it should just make sense.
👋 Till next time, remember: even your “friendly” chatbot might be a little too friendly.
