We are telling AI chatbots our biggest secrets, but Proton warns our privacy is at huge risk

66% of UK AI users have discussed highly sensitive topics with a chatbot Yet, 64% of respondents are worried that chats will be used to profile them Proton's privacy-first chatbot, Lumo, aims to fix this trust gap Late at night, when you need to vent about a relationship, ask for career advice, or check a worrying health symptom, who do you turn to? For a rapidly growing number of people, it isn't a friend, family member, or doctor; it's a chatbot.

A new piece of research published today by Proton, the Swiss tech firm behind some of the best VPN services on the market, reveals that a staggering 66% of British AI users have discussed at least one sensitive topic with an artificial intelligence assistant.

However, there is a massive contradiction at the heart of this new digital relationship: we are pouring our hearts out to these chatbots, but we do not actually trust them.

According to the survey , 42% of UK users have little or no trust in AI companies to protect their private information, and 11% don't trust them at all.

Despite these glaring privacy reservations, 55% of Brits admit that AI has fundamentally changed their everyday decision-making.

Proton VPN – best for privacy Based in Switzerland, this privacy-first VPN offers good speeds, advanced anti-censorship features, and a server network that spans 145 countries around the world — including across Africa and Asia, where other providers tend to struggle.

While its free VPN plan is handy, it comes with limitations.

The good news is that upgrading to a premium subscription will cost you only the equivalent of $2.99 per month .

View Deal The ultimate judgment-free zone So, why are we sharing our most intimate thoughts with machines we don't trust? The answer is simple: freedom from judgment.

While friends and family remain the preferred choice for most sensitive discussions, AI offers a 24/7 digital confidant that won't react with surprise or embarrassment.

Proton's data shows personal finance is the most commonly discussed sensitive topic (33%), followed closely by work or career problems (32%), mental health struggles (27%), and relationship issues (20%).

66% of people have told an ai chatbot something sensitive.Their finances.

Their mental health.

Their sex life.At most 1 in 5 trust the companies holding that information.1/6 🧵 September 24, 2026 "AI is learning far more about us than a search engine ever could," said Eamonn Maguire, Director of AI Engineering at Proton.