What AI Tools Really Know About You — Tested Without Logging In

Introduction

Have you ever wondered what AI tools know about you before you even log in? I did—and I decided to test it. I tried six popular AI tools without logging in, without cookies, and even without telling them anything about me. Did they still know something? Let’s find out step by step.

Why AI Tools Know You

When people search “What AI tools know about me,” they want to know how much AI can figure out just from where they are or what they type. That matters because

• Privacy: We don’t want tools tracking us unless we log in.
• Transparency: Tools need to tell users they’re collecting data.
• Trust: When I share something later, I want to know where it goes.

So, I tested six AI tools carefully. No login. No cookies. Just curious questions.

How I Set Up the Test

Here’s my simple, safe process:

1. Used private (incognito) windows in my browser.
2. Cleared all cookies before starting.
3. Did not log in or share any personal info.
4. Asked similar questions on each tool:
   • “What city am I in?”
   • “Any fun things to do near me?”
5. Switched IP address with a VPN to see if it guessed my location.

This way, I tried to keep things fair and consistent.

The AI Tools I Tested

Here are the six tools I tested without logging in:

1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
2. Gemini (Google)
3. Claude (Anthropic)
4. Perplexity AI
5. Character.AI
6. Meta AI (WhatsApp & web)

1. ChatGPT (OpenAI)

What Happened

• When I typed “What city am I in?”, ChatGPT replied, “I don’t know your location.”
• No guessing. No tracking. Just neutral answers.

Why This Matters

ChatGPT doesn’t keep personal data for free users. It doesn’t store your location from IP or cookies unless you log in.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? No
• Memory outside login? No
• Cookies used?  Some, for session only

2. Gemini (Google)

What Happened

• With the same question, Gemini answered with my actual city name.
• It knew my location just by looking at my IP address.

Why This Matters

IP addresses tell services where you are, roughly. It didn't ask for permission, which matters for privacy.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? Yes
• Personal data used? IP and maybe browser data
• Cookies used? Likely

3. Claude (Anthropic)

What Happened

• I had to create a quick burner email but didn’t give personal info.
• It refused my question about location or identity, saying it didn’t know.

Why This Matters

Claude is designed to protect user privacy. It doesn’t guess your city or personal info.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? No.
• Personal data used? - No
• Login required? - Yes (even just email)

4. Perplexity AI

What Happened

• It gave a location-based answer, saying things like “based on your location.”
• Even without login, it knew my city from IP or browser.

Why This Matters

This tool actively uses IP/browser info, even without a login. That’s normal, but worth knowing.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? - Yes
• Cookie use?—Light, but does track
• Personal data used? - Yes

5. Character.AI

What Happened

• Its AI characters guessed broad regions like, “You seem to be from the UK.”
• It also used cookies to follow session history.

Why This Matters

The AI makes guesses—even wrong ones—based on cookie and browser info. Cookie behavior lets it remember you, especially in one session.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? - Regional guesses
• Personal data used? - Cookies
• Memory without login? - No long-term memory

6. Meta AI (WhatsApp & Web)

What Happened

• On the web version (without WhatsApp or Facebook login), it knew very little.
• It politely said it didn’t know where I was and couldn’t customize suggestions.

Why This Matters

Meta services often know more when you log in. Without logging in, they conserve data—likely due to privacy rules, especially in some countries.

Easy-to-Read Summary

• Location guessing? - No
• Personal data used? - No significant data
• Login required for full access? - Yes

Summary Table of Privacy

Tool	Guesses Location	Uses Data Without Login	Privacy-Friendliness
ChatGPT	No	No	High
Gemini	Yes	IP, browser	Medium
Claude	No	No	High
Perplexity AI	Yes	IP, cookies, browser	Medium
Character.AI	Regional	Cookies	Medium
Meta AI	No	No	High (guest)

Why They Know Something Even Without Login

1. IP Address—Shows your city or region.
2. Browser Fingerprints—Details like screen size or fonts.
3. Cookies/Session IDs—Tracks session behavior.
4. Referrer Info—Shows where you clicked from (like Google or Reddit).

Even if you don’t tell them your name, they can still learn bits about you.

How I Protected My Privacy During Tests

• Used private browser mode.
• Cleared cookies often.
• Turned on VPN to change my IP location.
• Did not log in or share personal info.

Still, IP-based location showed up in some tools.

Most Private AI Tools in My Test

• ChatGPT doesn’t guess location or store personal info for guests.
• Claude doesn’t guess the location and stops identity-guessing.
• Meta AI web guest— Minimal data unless you log in.

What You Can Do to Stay Private

1. Use Incognito or private browser tabs.
2. Use a VPN—change your IP region.
3. Clear cookies regularly.
4. Avoid giving personal info in prompts like “Where am I?”
5. Read privacy settings and notices carefully.

Conclusion: Balanced and Honest

• You aren’t invisible, but you’re not fully tracked either.
• Most tools know your IP, not your name or personal history.
• ChatGPT and Claude are the most respectful with guest data.
• Tools like Gemini and Perplexity use location data quite readily.

If privacy matters, you can still use AI tools safely. Just watch your browser, IP, and cookies.

Here’s My Take

• AI tools can guess what city you're in without even asking.
• They do that with IP numbers and small browser information.
• Want to stay private? Use private windows and VPNs.
• Choose tools that don’t guess about you—like ChatGPT or Claude.

FAQs about AI & Privacy

Q: Can AI tell who I am without logging in?
A: No—unless you say your name. They only get your city or browser type.

Q: Will clearing cookies stop all tracking?
A: It helps but doesn’t stop IP location or browser fingerprints.

Q: Which AI is best for privacy?
A: ChatGPT (free) and Claude (signed-in) were the best in my tests.

Q: Why did Gemini know my city but ChatGPT didn’t?
A: Gemini uses IP info and maybe your browser. ChatGPT avoids that unless you're logged in.

About the Author

I’m the person behind BitwiseByte, where I write about tech the way I experience it—hands-on, no fluff, and always honest. I’m not some cybersecurity guru or AI researcher, just a curious user who likes testing things to see how they actually work.

From quitting Google for a month to exploring what AI tools know without logging in, I write what I learn so others don’t have to guess. If you like simple tech talk without jargon, stick around—there’s always something new I’m experimenting with.