What you type isn't private
3 min read
Anything you type into an AI tool is sent to the company that runs it. Their privacy policy decides what happens next: how long it's kept, what it's used for, and who they may share it with.
It's also not like talking to a lawyer. In February 2026, a federal judge in New York ruled that a man's conversations with Claude, an AI chatbot, were not protected by attorney-client privilege, and prosecutors were allowed to obtain them. The judge pointed to the company's privacy policy, which allowed it to use what people type and to share it, including with the government. Some legal experts think the ruling went too far. Until courts settle it, assume your AI chats could be read by someone else.
You can still get the help without handing over the details. Swap account numbers, Social Security numbers, case numbers, and full names for placeholders like [account number]. The AI doesn't need the real ones to write a good letter. You fill them in afterward.
Instead of
my name is Jane Example, SSN 000-00-0000, account 0012-3456-789. write a letter disputing a late fee on my credit card
Try
Write a letter to my credit card company disputing a late fee. I paid on [payment date], before the due date, and was charged anyway. Use [my name] and [account number] as placeholders — I'll fill those in myself. Keep it short and firm.
The letter comes out just as good. Your Social Security and account numbers just never left your computer.