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World desk5 min

Private AI Assistant Alternatives: Compare Data-Sharing Controls

Compare how Proton Lumo, Google Gemini, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot describe chat training, retention, human review, and other data controls.
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If you want to limit how an AI assistant handles your conversations, compare more than its “no training” promise. History storage, human review, memory, connected services, feedback, and deletion are separate issues. Proton Lumo, Google Gemini, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot publish different controls and caveats; the best fit depends on what you share and whether you use a personal or organizational account.

What to compare before choosing an AI assistant

A service can say it does not train on your chats and still retain conversation history or collect other information. Before entering sensitive material, check these distinct questions:

  • Model improvement: Are conversations used to improve models? Can you opt out, and are there exceptions such as safety review or feedback?
  • Storage and deletion: Does the service save chat history, and what controls exist to delete it?
  • Additional data: Does it handle uploaded files, device information, memory, or data from connected apps?
  • Account and app scope: Does the policy cover the consumer app, a work or school account, or a particular version?
  • Where processing happens: A hosted service processes prompts on its systems; encryption claims about stored history do not by themselves establish that prompts are processed only on your device.

The policies below are vendors’ descriptions of their practices, not independent audits. Check the current policy and settings for your region and exact account before relying on a control.

How the alternatives handle data

Service What its published information says Important scope or caveat
Proton Lumo Proton says chat history uses zero-access encryption, conversations are not logged, and chats are not used to train language models. These are Proton’s claims about its service and chat history, not independent verification or proof that every data category is covered. Lumo is a hosted service, not on-device processing. Proton Lumo
Google Gemini Apps Google says it may collect prompts, shared files and media, feedback, generated content, device and app information, connected-service data, and other context. The notice describes uses including maintaining and improving services and models, and says human reviewers examine some collected data. The notice applies to Gemini Apps and signed-in use; signed-out users are directed to Google’s broader privacy policy. Connected third-party services may have their own policies. The notice was last updated June 29, 2026. Gemini Apps Privacy Notice
Anthropic Claude consumer plans Anthropic says consumer conversations may be used to improve models if a user opts in, if a conversation is flagged for safety review, or in another explicit opt-in case. Incognito chats are not used for model improvement, even when Model Improvement is enabled. Feedback data may be retained for up to five years. Not using a chat for model improvement is not the same as deleting it or guaranteeing zero retention. Anthropic’s guidance distinguishes consumer plans from commercial products. Anthropic’s explanation of personal data and model training
Microsoft Copilot Microsoft’s page for the older personal Copilot app describes controls for memory and personalization, model-training use, personalized ads, and deleting conversation history. It states that history is retained for 18 months. That page applies only to the older app version. Microsoft says its updated individual app has been available since August 18, 2026, and its work and school account guidance is separate. Do not assume the older settings or retention period apply to the newer app. Older personal Copilot data controls; Microsoft’s overview of the updated Copilot app

What these differences mean in practice

For minimizing use of chat content

Proton’s published position is the clearest among these sources for a service that says it does not log conversations or train on them. Treat that as a vendor claim, and note that its zero-access encryption statement concerns chat history; it does not establish that prompts are processed locally or that every data category is covered.

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Claude offers a model-improvement choice for consumer chats, but its stated exceptions matter: safety-flagged conversations and explicit opt-ins are treated differently, while Incognito chats are excluded from model improvement. That is a narrower promise than “nothing is retained.”

For understanding data collection and review

Google’s Gemini notice is comparatively explicit about the breadth of information it may handle, including files, device and app information, and connected services. It also says some collected data is reviewed by people. If you use connected services, review their terms as well as Google’s.

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For a personal Microsoft account

Microsoft documents several useful controls for its older personal Copilot app, but the company says that guidance does not apply to the updated app available since August 18, 2026. Confirm which app version you have before relying on those settings or the stated 18-month history period. Work and school accounts follow separate guidance.

For ChatGPT

The OpenAI information reviewed for this comparison describes encryption and security or compliance controls for business products. It does not establish the current consumer ChatGPT settings for model training, temporary chats, or retention, so it is not enough to compare ChatGPT feature by feature here. Consult current consumer-specific documentation before choosing it on the basis of those controls. OpenAI business privacy and security information

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How to reduce exposure whichever service you use

  1. Decide whether the service needs the sensitive detail. Remove names, account numbers, addresses, and other identifying information when they are not essential. Anthropic specifically advises care with financial details, health records, passwords, and confidential personal or business documents. Anthropic’s guidance on personal data
  2. Check the account and app version. Consumer, organizational, signed-in, and signed-out use may be governed by different terms and controls.
  3. Review the relevant controls before starting a sensitive chat. Look for model-improvement choices, history and memory settings, and deletion options. Do not treat an opt-out as a deletion request or a promise of zero retention.
  4. Limit connected services and uploads. Only share files or link accounts when the task requires them, and check the connected provider’s data policy.
  5. Recheck after product changes. Controls and policies can change; confirm the current settings in your own app and region rather than relying on an older help page.
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Is a hosted assistant appropriate for highly sensitive information?

Not necessarily. If a detail would cause harm if stored, reviewed, or exposed, the safer choice may be not to enter it into a hosted assistant at all. Encryption claims, training controls, and chat deletion address different parts of data handling; none should be read as a blanket guarantee that sensitive information is never accessible or retained.

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  • 【Superior Privacy】- Our advanced multi-layered film filter blacks out your screen when viewing from the side, while maintaining a crystal clear screen straight-on. It also protects your eyes from harmful UV and blue light. [Note: It does not block visibility directly behind you, regardless of the distance.]
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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.

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