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Study finds six major AI chatbots share user data with advertisers via trackers
A European study by researchers at Imdea in Madrid found that six of nine popular AI chatbots, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot, routinely share user input with third-party advertisers through trackers. Even when users rejected non-essential cookies, these chatbots connected to Google Ads. The study, titled 'Prompt like a Butterfly, Sting like a Tracker,' highlights privacy law violations and has prompted the Spanish data protection authority to share findings with European counterparts. The research warns of the pervasive nature of data tracking in AI, raising concerns about user consent and transparency.

Updated Oct 2, 2026 First reported Oct 1, 2026