What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Protect your personal data by sharing the minimum information an AI tool needs, removing identifiers that are not essential, and keeping passwords, authentication codes, and unapproved confidential material out of prompts. Before using a tool, check the privacy controls and terms for the exact service and account you’re signed into; training, storage, human review, and deletion are separate issues.

What should you keep out of AI prompts?

Treat every prompt as a disclosure to the service. The same applies when you upload a file, share a screenshot, use voice or video, share your screen, provide browser context, or connect another app. Before sending anything, ask whether the tool needs that detail to answer.

  • Never enter credentials: passwords, one-time passcodes, API keys, recovery codes, and payment credentials.
  • Remove unnecessary identifiers: replace names with roles or placeholders, and generalize dates, locations, employers, and case details when those specifics are not needed.
  • Be especially cautious with sensitive information: health, financial, legal, employment, and children’s information should go only through a service and workflow approved for that information.
  • Do not paste other people’s sensitive details unless you have a legitimate reason and the tool and workflow are authorized to handle them.

For example, instead of pasting a named employee’s full performance record, you might describe an anonymized scenario and ask for general feedback language. Redaction lowers exposure; it does not change the service’s data practices.

Which privacy settings and terms should you check?

First identify the exact product and account: a provider’s personal assistant may have different terms from its work, school, or business offering. Then look for controls and documentation covering each of these questions:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Elebase USB to USB C Adapter for iPhone 18 Pro Max,USBC Car Charger Adapter
  • Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
  • Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
  • Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
  • Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
  • 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
  • Model improvement or training: Can your conversations or submitted content be used to improve models, and is there a setting to control that?
  • Chat history and activity: What is saved to your account, and can you use a temporary or history-off mode?
  • Memory and personalization: Does the service retain details to personalize later responses, and can you review or delete them?
  • Retention and deletion: How long can data remain, and are there exceptions for security, legal requirements, or human review?
  • Uploads and integrations: What can files, connected apps, browser context, voice, or screen features expose?

These are distinct controls. Turning off model training does not necessarily stop a service from processing a prompt to produce an answer, logging it, retaining it for security, or allowing a limited review under its terms. Deleting activity may also differ from erasing every copy held for a documented purpose.

How do privacy practices differ across common AI services?

These examples come from the providers’ own documentation and are not a ranking. Features, eligibility, defaults, and terms can change; check the current page for the account and region you use.

Rank #2
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter
  • 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
  • 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
  • Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
  • 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

ChatGPT and OpenAI services

OpenAI describes controls for whether ChatGPT conversations help improve its models, as well as options to delete memories, conversations, and account data. It also describes encryption at rest and in transit and advanced account security. These are OpenAI’s statements about its service, not independent test findings. See OpenAI’s security and privacy information.

Do not apply API terms to consumer ChatGPT. OpenAI says API data is not used to train or improve models by default, but its documentation says API abuse-monitoring logs may contain prompts, responses, and derived metadata and are retained for up to 30 days by default, subject to exceptions for legal requirements or service protection. Eligible organizations can seek Zero Data Retention or Modified Abuse Monitoring controls. See OpenAI API data controls. OpenAI also says business, education, and API data is not used for training by default; applicable terms and controls depend on product and eligibility. See OpenAI business data information.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter
  • Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
  • Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
  • Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
  • Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
  • What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft distinguishes consumer Copilot from Copilot Chat used while signed in with a work or school account. For work or school Copilot Chat, Microsoft says prompts and responses are not used to train foundation models, while prompts, triggered Bing searches, and responses are logged. Enterprise data protection does not mean there is no logging or administrator governance. For consumer Copilot, Microsoft describes a conversation-activity control for signed-in users; its FAQ says future conversations are excluded from model training after opting out and distinguishes use while not signed in. Consult Microsoft’s Copilot privacy FAQ for current details.

Google Gemini Apps

Google’s Gemini Apps Privacy Hub describes prompts and shared content such as files, videos, screens, photos, imported chats, and browser page content; connected apps and other Google-service information may also be involved. Google says Gemini Apps Activity auto-delete defaults to 18 months and can be changed to 3 months, 36 months, or indefinite, or activity can be deleted manually. Google further says chats reviewed by human reviewers and associated information are not deleted when activity is deleted and may be retained for up to three years. These are Google’s product-specific terms, not a rule for other assistants. See Google’s Gemini Apps Privacy Hub.

Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray
  • Dual Converters, Infinite Potential:Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
  • Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
  • Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
  • Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
  • Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft

Connected apps deserve particular care: Google says Gemini activity that includes connected-app information may be used to improve Google services, including training generative AI models, when Keep Activity is on. The company says summaries, excerpts, and inferences from relevant connected data may be used, and advises against connecting apps with confidential information you would not want used for training or seen by a reviewer. See Google’s information about connected apps and Gemini Apps Activity.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What should you do before using AI for work or client data?

Use only an organization-approved account and workflow for work, customer, or client information. A work or school account may offer different protections from a personal account, but organizational controls can coexist with logging, administrator access, and retention policies. Follow your employer’s data-classification rules and ask its administrator or privacy/security contact which tools and data types are approved. OpenAI says business, education, and API data is not used for training by default, while Microsoft describes enterprise data protection for eligible work or school Copilot Chat use; neither statement replaces your organization’s policy.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display
  • 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
  • Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
  • Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
  • HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
  • What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

How can you reduce exposure beyond the prompt?

  • Review files and screenshots for names, account numbers, email addresses, metadata, or unrelated material before uploading.
  • Disable connected apps and integrations you do not need. Do not connect a source containing confidential material unless your policy allows it.
  • Use a unique password, enable multifactor authentication when available, and protect the recovery email on the AI account.
  • Delete chats or activity when appropriate, but do not assume deletion instantly removes data retained for review, security, legal, or other documented purposes.
  • Revisit privacy settings and notices periodically because product features and defaults change.

What does U.S. consumer-protection guidance say?

In January 2024, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission warned companies about retaining or using consumer data for other purposes without clear, conspicuous notice and affirmative express consent. The FTC said that burying disclosures in hyperlinks, legalese, or fine print—or changing terms surreptitiously—may risk violating the law. This is U.S. agency guidance about company practices, not a substitute for advice about a particular service or jurisdiction. Read the FTC statement.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.