Stop the ‘Silent Opt-In’: Your 2026 privacy audit

December 31, 2025

By Kim Komando

2025 was the year of the Silent Opt-In. You see, Big Tech rolled out massive AI updates, and in many cases, they automatically signed you up to donate your personal data to train their algorithms and models. Nice, right?

Before we hit 2026, let’s do a collective privacy audit. Here is your hit list to see what you’ve volunteered for and how to shut it down.

1. Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

Meta is using your public posts, photos and captions to teach its Llama AI, essentially turning your personal history into a free training manual for a bot.

• The reset: As a shocker to no one, Meta makes it virtually impossible to opt-out. You have to fill out a form to stop them and share specific examples of how AI uses your personal data.

2. LinkedIn

LinkedIn quietly defaulted every profile into an AI training program.

• The reset: Go to Settings > Data Privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement. Switch that toggle to Off.

3. Google & Gemini

Google integrated its Gemini AI into Gmail and Docs. If you’re not paying, your conversations can be reviewed by human contractors.

• The reset: Visit myactivity.google.com/product/gemini. Under Keep activity, turn it Off. This stops Google from keeping a permanent transcript of your AI interactions.

4. OpenAI & Claude 

By default, your ChatGPT and Claude chats are fed back into the machine.

• The reset: In ChatGPT, go to Settings > Data Controls and turn off Improve the model for everyone. In Claude, go to Settings > Privacy and disable Help improve Claude.

5. Apple Intelligence 

Apple pushes privacy, but they still want to know how you use their AI. They let you see what they’ve sent to the cloud.

• The reset: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and turn off Share iCloud Analytics. This stops your usage patterns from being sent to Apple.
• The pro move: Want to see what Apple’s AI actually knows? Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence Report. You can export a transcript of every request that left your phone for their Private Cloud Compute.

Let’s head into 2026 with your data exactly where it belongs, under your control.Share the knowledge! If you know someone who values their privacy, forward this email to them. They can sign up here to get ahead everyday, too.