AI companion privacy: what to check before you sign up

• What does sign-up require? Email only is best. Phone numbers and social logins tie the account to your identity.
• Is there an age check beyond a checkbox? Some platforms now use ID or card verification in certain countries. That is a legal requirement in those places, not a red flag, but it changes the privacy picture.
• Who operates the service? A company name and country in the terms. If you cannot find either, assume nothing about how data is handled.

• Who processes your messages? Many platforms use third-party model providers. Their policy says whether messages leave the platform and whether they are used for training.
• Are chats encrypted at rest? Rarely stated; when it is, that is a good sign.
• Can staff read chats? Most terms allow it for abuse review. Some platforms are explicit that they do not read chats routinely.

• What is the statement descriptor? Adult processors typically use a neutral name. Reviews mention discreet billing where the platform documents it.
• Which methods exist? Cards, PayPal, crypto, mobile carrier billing. Crypto keeps the purchase off your card; PayPal availability shows the platform passed a stricter review.
• Where is the refund policy? Digital goods often exclude refunds after use. Read it before a yearly plan.

• Can you delete the account yourself? A self-serve delete button beats an email request.
• Does deletion cover chats and images? Some platforms keep generated images or backups for a period; the policy should say how long.

The mainstream platforms we review say they do not sell personal data, and several are subject to GDPR or California law. The bigger practical risk is a breach, which is why aliases and dedicated emails are worth it.

It varies. Some platforms state that chats are not used for training; others reserve the right to. The review's privacy notes quote the policy where we found one.

A local model on your own hardware, with no account, is the most private. Among hosted platforms: email-only sign-up, crypto or a virtual card, and a platform whose policy explicitly excludes training on your chats.