AI Companion Conversation History Privacy Checklist
A private-looking conversation window does not explain what happens to history. Messages may remain visible in the account, browser session, email notifications, backups described by policy, or another signed-in session. This checklist avoids assumptions about storage or deletion. It helps you inspect the current history controls and decide what not to disclose when the answers remain incomplete.
Fast evidence screen
| Area | Useful current evidence | Reason to pause |
|---|---|---|
| History list | Titles, previews, timestamps, and rename controls are visible | Sensitive text appears in an automatic title |
| Session reach | You can inspect active sessions and sign out where offered | History appears on an unexpected signed-in browser |
| Removal control | The interface states what delete or clear changes | A disappearing thread is presented as complete erasure |
| Policy explanation | Current policy addresses retention and request handling | Marketing language replaces operational detail |
Inspect titles and previews
Question: What text is visible before a conversation is opened?
Action: Create no sensitive test content; simply inspect how ordinary thread titles, snippets, and timestamps appear. This action reduces guesswork; it does not prove anything beyond the current source and account state you actually observed.
Evidence: A dated note about list-view exposure, without copying conversation text. Keep the access date and enough context to understand the wording later.
Worked example: An automatic title can reveal a topic on a shared screen even when the full thread is closed.
Pause when: The history list exposes content and offers no way to rename, hide, or remove it. A pause is a useful result when proceeding would require an assumption.
Check signed-in reach
Question: Which browsers or sessions can open the history?
Action: Use the account's current session controls where available and sign out from devices or browsers you no longer use. This action reduces guesswork; it does not prove anything beyond the current source and account state you actually observed.
Evidence: The active-session page and the result of a normal sign-out check. Keep the access date and enough context to understand the wording later.
Worked example: Closing a tab may leave the account signed in for the next person using that browser.
Pause when: There is no way to identify or end a session you do not recognize. A pause is a useful result when proceeding would require an assumption.
Understand clear versus remove
Question: What does each history control claim to do?
Action: Read the label, confirmation dialog, help page, and privacy notice together before relying on a destructive action. This action reduces guesswork; it does not prove anything beyond the current source and account state you actually observed.
Evidence: Exact current wording and a request confirmation, not the visual disappearance alone. Keep the access date and enough context to understand the wording later.
Worked example: Clear view, remove thread, delete account, and submit a data request can describe different scopes.
Pause when: The service promises complete results without defining scope, timing, backup treatment, or exceptions. A pause is a useful result when proceeding would require an assumption.
Reduce content sensitivity
Question: Could the conversation work with generalized details?
Action: Replace real names, exact locations, contact information, workplace details, and unique identifiers with non-identifying descriptions. This action reduces guesswork; it does not prove anything beyond the current source and account state you actually observed.
Evidence: A personal rule list kept outside the service. Keep the access date and enough context to understand the wording later.
Worked example: Describe a scheduling problem without entering an address, employer, or exact appointment.
Pause when: The experience pressures you to reveal identity documents, financial credentials, or contact details. A pause is a useful result when proceeding would require an assumption.
Plan for an exposed preview
Question: What would another person learn from the account list or notification?
Action: Rename threads when the interface supports it, adjust previews, and remove unnecessary history using the documented control. This action reduces guesswork; it does not prove anything beyond the current source and account state you actually observed.
Evidence: A final check of history list, notifications, and signed-in sessions. Keep the access date and enough context to understand the wording later.
Worked example: A neutral thread name reduces casual exposure but does not change provider-side handling.
Pause when: You can hide nothing locally and must use a shared screen or shared account. A pause is a useful result when proceeding would require an assumption.
Copyable checklist
Complete each line from the provider's current interface or published documents. A blank or unclear answer should remain visible in your notes.
- Inspect thread titles and previews without creating sensitive test content.
- Check whether the browser remains signed in after closing the tab.
- Review active-session controls when currently available.
- Read the exact meaning of clear, remove, and delete controls.
- Generalize names, locations, workplaces, and dates before writing.
- Avoid identity, payment, account-recovery, or contact credentials.
- Check exports and notifications as additional copies of history.
- Treat a vanished thread as an interface result, not proof of total removal.
Worked situations
Shared laptop
A household member may see an automatic title, recent-history card, or still-authenticated account. Use a separate browser profile if appropriate, sign out, and inspect the history landing page afterward. Private browsing can reduce local history but does not define provider retention.
Record what the current source shows, keep personal details out of the worksheet, and mark unresolved questions rather than filling them with an assumption.
Sensitive story with unnecessary identifiers
The companion may not need real names or an exact location to respond to a scenario. Rewrite the prompt with roles, approximate timing, and general context. If the identifying detail is not necessary, leave it out rather than relying on later removal.
Record what the current source shows, keep personal details out of the worksheet, and mark unresolved questions rather than filling them with an assumption.
How to record a reliable answer
Use a dated worksheet with four columns: the question, the current source, the exact answer, and what remains unknown. Prefer a live detailed policy or account control over a promotional summary. Preserve enough surrounding wording to avoid changing the meaning, but cover names, addresses, payment values, conversation text, and other personal details. A screenshot records one interface at one moment; it is not proof that the same rule applies later, in another region, or to another account.
When two sources disagree, do not choose the answer you prefer. Record the conflict and ask the provider through a contact route reached from its current account, terms, or privacy page. Keep the case number and exact response. If the answer affects payment, an upload, account access, or sensitive disclosure, wait until the conflict is resolved or choose not to proceed. Unknown is a valid worksheet result.
A calm stop rule
Pause when a required term is missing, the final confirmation differs from the earlier page, a request moves outside the documented account route, or support asks for secrets that normal support should not need. Do not send passwords, one-time codes, full payment credentials, recovery secrets, or unrelated private conversation content. Do not install unknown software or grant remote control. Return through a known official address and verify the account state independently.
Related safety checklists
Frequently asked questions
Does deleting a thread remove every copy?
This site cannot make that claim. Read the current privacy notice and deletion explanation, including any stated retention, backup, legal, or security exceptions, then ask the provider when scope is unclear.
Is private browsing enough?
It can reduce some local browser records, but it does not explain account history, provider handling, payment records, downloads, or notifications. Use it only as one local layer.
Can I safely share highly personal details?
No service checklist can make disclosure risk-free. Minimize details, use generalized examples, and avoid credentials, identity documents, financial information, exact locations, or anything that could cause harm if exposed.
How do exports affect history privacy?
An export can create another copy on your computer, cloud folder, backup, or downloads list. Review the export checklist and secure or remove local copies according to your needs.