My Girlfriend Is an AI: They’re Selling Your Data?

Written by Tom; Published on February 2nd, 2026

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As a technology writer, I am continuously discovering new technologies which connect humanity with technology. However, lately, I have been deeply engaged with one of the fastest-emerging sectors in AI technology—Digital Companions (also known as my AI girlfriend). In what seems like an amazing new way to relate to another human being (or a digital companion), my AI girlfriend is perfect for you. She will always listen to your problems; She understands you no matter what; and she will be there whenever you need her.

While I have been digesting everything I have learned about how AI companions work, I have learned through my own investigation that there is a huge gap between creating intimacy with your digital companion via the promises of technology vs the grim reality of commodification of data.

Over the last few weeks, I have spent time talking to several different AI companions, reviewing their terms and privacy statements and sorting through lots of research from privacy advocates. I also found that the world of AI companions is filled with complexities, i.e., it is relatively easy for someone to turn your deep-seated thoughts into a possible lucrative business opportunity by sharing that data with third parties. This brings me to the information I found regarding how the apps collect data and how often they sell that data.

What Is an AI Girlfriend?

Now, before we proceed, let’s clarify exactly what an AI girlfriend is. An AI girlfriend is not simply a time-consuming chatbot; Rather, it is an advanced computer program or an application that uses many different forms of artificial intelligence, e.g., Natural Language Processing (NLP) to simulate being your romantic partner. The AI girlfriend also remembers past conversations and creates your digital profile while continuing to develop her personality based on the information you provide. In other words, the goal is to create a companion who can provide companionship and emotional support, and therefore build an emotional connection that feels as "real" as possible.

The industry's growth has been explosive, a topic I've covered in my AI girlfriend landscape overview. Once a niche industry, it's now worth billions of dollars! The AI companion application space went from very few (less than 5 apps in 2022) to over 100 endpoint access points by the end of 2025. There is also more choice of products available within this timeframe, with platforms like candy.ai and herahaven.com entering the market; however, this also means a larger number of companies compete for your attention and your data.

Good and Bad - Data Sharing

To be clear, we should explore the reasons these developers want our data. Developers use the data collected through AI companion applications to develop and provide a uniquely personal experience for you or for their business.

1. The Personal Experience - AI Companion Data: The magic of having an AI companion is due to its memory. How would a companion remember your dog’s name or when you told it that you had a bad day? The AI pulls from historical chat history within the application. That information creates a contextually rich memory and allows the AI to develop a continuous and consistent relationship with you as a supportive entity.
2. Keeping Free Services Active - The Freemium Model: Although you may be using a free version of the AI Companion application, advertisers pay for access to your information in order to advertise to you. When the AI application collects your data by analyzing your use of the application, they create a profile that an advertiser can target. Many of the users are fine with giving up this information to obtain free access. The table below provides a concise overview of the positive interpretation of sharing data between app users and providers.

The Damaging Impact of Sharing Data

Unfortunately, after conducting an initial overview of potential positive aspects associated with sharing data, I began to feel concerned with the extent to which data collected through chatbots and AI chat applications is shared.

A study by the Mozilla Foundation evaluated 11 of the most commonly used romantic chat applications, assigning each one a "Privacy Not Included" label. In other words, 100 percent of the applications failed this measure of privacy. And my investigation validated this finding with data from privacy-monitoring organizations showing that approximately 80 percent of all top-rated AI companion applications share user data for tracking and advertising.

This means that we're not just talking about your favorite colour. Users are also sharing images, voice recordings and incredibly personal information related to their mental health, relationship status, beliefs, etc., when using romantic chat applications. The frequency of user-generated data is also alarming; for example, I found that within 1 minute of using a trial version of Romantic AI, it transmitted 24,000 advertisements. Purchasing an app is just the beginning; your entire life will be exposed to ad networks and data companies.

Privacy policies generally contain convoluted language. One Reddit user found software that stated it would "periodically provide personal information" and there were no details regarding which companies were receiving this information.

Four Ways To Protect Yourself When Using AI Companion Apps

Based on the research I have done, here are 4 easy things you can do to protect your privacy while using AI companions.

Step 1: Do Your Homework

• Find Independent Sources Of Reviews: Look for reviews by independent technology experts or organizations (i.e. Mozilla's Privacy Not Included) that have specifically analyzed the app's security practices.
• Scrutinize Privacy Policies: Use your web browser's 'Find' function (using CTRL-F or COMMAND-F) to search each privacy policy for keywords such as "third parties," "advertisers," "sell" or "share." Avoid applications with vague references to these terms.

Step 2: Use Data Minimization Strategies When Chatting

• Follow The Golden Rule: Never Share Any Personally Identifiable Information ("PII") - i.e. your full name; current address; credit/debit card/account number; employer-related data.
• Create A New Persona: Create a pseudonym and do not upload photos that show your face - treat it as if you are creating a character in a video game.
• Think Before You Type: Keep in mind that your chat might eventually be leaked - this will help you self-censor sensitive information.

Step 3: How You Can Safeguard Your Digital Footprint

• Create a New Email Account: Set up an email address specifically for these type of apps so that they will not be tied to your main identity.
• Limit App Permissions: Does a chatbot really need access to your contact list or location while installing? Deny all permissions that are simply not needed in order for the current app to work correctly.
• Check In-App Settings: Look for any option within the app to disable data sharing, or to use your chat data to train Artificial Intelligence.

Step 4: Understanding the Financial Model

• If it’s Free You are the Product: Be cautious of free apps. These types of apps typically monetize your data as their primary means of business/revenue.
• A Paid App May Not Guarantee Privacy: Having a subscription does not guarantee everyone will not be able to see your data. Always check the app's policy because some of them still claim the rights to allow access to your data even after purchase/installation.

The Future: Regulation is Forthcoming

The good news is that regulators are finally beginning to take notice. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S. is currently doing research on the market for Artificial Intelligence chat applications. Additionally, new legislation is on the horizon, such as California's updated law that enacted new safety protocols for these types of apps last month (January 2026). I predict we will begin seeing transparency and increased user control pushed for by government/regulatory agencies in the near future.

In the meantime, the responsibility rests with each of us, and it's crucial to understand how to limit what your AI companion knows about you. Through AI girls, one can have a more rewarding relationship than with a human partner. However, as with any relationship, data between parties can be seized by a third party and thus compromises the relationship. You should own and control your own relationship as well as all information exchanged between you and your partner.