How AI Systems Collect Your Data

Understanding the Four Types of Data Collection

Types of Data Collection

Explicit Data

Information you actively type, click, or provide directly to apps and websites.

Account registration (name, email, age)
Profile information and bio
Search queries you type
Posts and comments you write
Forms you fill out
Photos and videos you upload

Implicit Data

Information gathered by watching how you use apps and websites, tracking your behavior and choices.

Which links you click on
How long you watch videos
Items you view or add to cart
Time spent on each page
Which posts you like or share
Your scrolling patterns

Passive Data

Information collected automatically in the background without you doing anything specific.

Your GPS location
Device type and model
IP address and network info
Operating system version
Battery level and storage
Cookies and tracking pixels

Inferred Data

Information AI systems guess or predict about you based on patterns in all the other data they've collected.

Your interests and hobbies
Predicted political views
Estimated income level
Likely shopping preferences
Personality characteristics
Future behavior predictions

How AI Uses Your Data

Helpful Uses

Personalized recommendations (music, videos, books)
Auto-complete and spelling suggestions
Improved search results
Better user experience
Fraud detection and security
Customized learning experiences

Concerning Uses

Targeted advertising you can't avoid
Selling your data to other companies
Price discrimination (charging different prices)
Creating filter bubbles (limiting what you see)
Potential discrimination in opportunities
Psychological manipulation

Privacy Risks

Data breaches exposing your information
Information shared without your knowledge
Permanent digital records of your activity
Profiles created without your consent
Location tracking revealing your routines
Future employers or schools seeing old posts

Protect Your Privacy

Review and adjust privacy settings regularly

Turn off location services when not needed

Don't overshare personal information online

Read privacy policies before agreeing

Use strong, unique passwords everywhere

Delete apps and accounts you don't use

Block third-party cookies in your browser

Think before you post or share

Evolve AI Institute | Free AI Education for All
Lesson 9: Your Data and AI: Privacy in the Digital Age