How do I know if my AI API is stealing my data? Legitimate providers do not "steal" — they process data under terms you accepted. Risk shows up when terms are vague, defaults train on your content, or unknown subprocessors appear.
Legitimate vs risky behavior
| Legitimate | Risky |
|---|---|
| Documented retention for abuse prevention | Indefinite prompt storage without reason |
| Named subprocessors | Anonymous "partners" |
| Clear training opt-out on paid tiers | Training on by default with buried toggle |
| DPAs for business customers | No business contact for privacy |
Deep read: Provider data sharing.
Audit steps (this week)
1. Export last month's prompts classification (PII yes/no)
2. Read current privacy policy + DPA
3. Confirm training settings in dashboard/API headers
4. Ask vendor for subprocessors in writing
5. Compare to what you tell your users
Technical signals
- Unexpected outbound calls in SDKs (rare but check open source clients)
- Logging full prompts to third-party analytics you did not configure
- Keys with broader scopes than needed
Rotate keys after audits (API key guide).
If data is highly sensitive
Consider local inference for those steps (run models locally) or enterprise zero-retention modes — not random discount APIs.
Flat-rate providers
Daymora is not exempt from scrutiny — evaluate our published terms on pricing like any vendor.
Bottom line
"Stealing" is usually over-broad rights in the terms you clicked. Fix it with policy review, opt-outs, minimization, and vendors who answer privacy questions in writing — not vibes.