Perplexity is an AI answer engine that searches the web and attaches numbered source links to its replies. Its privacy notice, updated 23 October 2026, says it collects your queries, uploads, device data and approximate location, and uses data to improve its AI models. Its help pages describe settings to limit that. Safe use means checking the cited sources and sharing less.
01How does Perplexity find and cite its sources?
Perplexity's help center says it reads your question, searches the web in real time, and writes one conversational answer with numbered citations that link to the original pages. It names large language models from other companies as part of the system, and Pro subscribers can choose between them.
The citations are there so you can check. The company's terms of service, last updated 23 January 2026, say outputs can be incorrect, biased or incomplete, and they do not promise that sources or citations are accurate. They also say not to rely on answers for medical, legal, investment or financial decisions. In practice, open the linked page and confirm that it says what the answer claims. This page is not a ranking of products.
Perplexity's terms provide answers as is, with no promise of accuracy, and tell users not to treat them as professional advice.
02What data does Perplexity collect?
The privacy notice was last updated on 23 October 2026. It groups data by context. These are the ones that matter most to a chatbot user.
- User content: your prompts, queries and uploads, the answers generated, and things you create such as collections, pages or Spaces.
- Account data: name, contact details, username and password, plus what you do while logged in.
- Device data and location: operating system, hardware details, IP address, crash information, and a general location inferred from your IP address.
- Voice data if you use voice features, and browsing history in the Comet browser if you sync it with your account.
- Health information, if you use its health services or put health details in a prompt.
03Does Perplexity train its AI on what you ask?
The notice lists using data to "improve or create services and products, including our AI models". It also says the contents of emails handled by its Email Assistant are not used to train models.
A help page on account settings describes an 'AI data retention' control in Preferences. It says turning it off keeps your search data out of the process that improves Perplexity's own Sonar models, and that search data is not shared with third-party services either way.
On sharing, the notice names service providers, affiliates, business partners and legal disclosures. Its table also lists search-history type data among categories that may go to advertising partners, while a banner on the data options page says queries, prompts and conversation content are not sent to advertisers. We could not tell from these pages how the two fit together, so read both.
04How long does Perplexity keep data, and how do you delete it?
The notice gives no fixed retention period for most data; it says data is kept only as long as needed for its purposes or the law. Your control comes from deleting things yourself, using the steps on its data options page.
- To delete one conversation, open your Library, use the three-dot menu beside it and choose Delete. To remove everything, choose Delete all threads. Deletion cannot be undone.
- Uploaded files are kept for 30 days by default. The page says to delete the whole thread to remove its uploads.
- To export or delete your account, sign in, open account details, and use Export my data or Delete account. Cancel any paid subscription first. Account data is erased after 30 days, and signing in again within 20 days cancels the request.
- For private questions, use Incognito. The help center says incognito sessions expire within 24 hours and cannot be recovered.
Incognito is not invisible. For its Comet browser, the notice says the company and the sites you visit may still be able to track you; it mainly stops other people using your device from seeing your history.
05What about age limits and memory?
The terms set a minimum age of 13 and say people under the age of majority need a parent or guardian to accept the terms for them. The privacy notice says the services are not meant for children under 13, and that Perplexity does not knowingly collect data from children under 16 without parental consent. This is general information, not legal advice.
Memory is a separate feature. According to the help center, you can switch off memory and search history separately, and turning memory off does not erase memories already saved. You clear those in Manage memories, and Perplexity may keep a log of cleared memories for up to 30 days.
?What is not known
- The privacy notice text does not describe a training opt-out; the AI data retention switch appears in a help page, so it is unclear which page would control in a dispute.
- The notice's advertising-partner table and the banner about advertisers are not explained side by side.
- Which outside AI models answer a given question changes by plan and over time; we did not read Perplexity's separate third-party models page.
- Retention periods for most data are not stated.
QQuestions people ask
Does Perplexity sell my data?
The notice says it does not sell personal data for money, but it describes sharing with service providers and partners and, for some categories, with advertising partners.
Is the Comet browser covered by the same notice?
Yes, the notice applies to its websites, the Comet browser, mobile apps and other services, but not to Enterprise and API data where Perplexity acts as a service provider.
Can I get a copy of my data?
Yes. Sign in, open account details and choose Export my data; a download link is emailed to you, according to the data options page.
Last checked October 24, 2026. Rules and settings change, so open the source to see the current version.
- Perplexity Privacy Notice Perplexity The company's consumer privacy notice, last updated 23 October 2026; used for what is collected, shared and kept, and for age rules.
- Self-Serve Data Options Perplexity Steps for exporting data and deleting threads, files and accounts.
- Perplexity Terms of Service Perplexity Last updated 23 January 2026; used for the minimum age and the statements about accuracy and professional advice.
- How does Perplexity work? Perplexity Help Center Describes real-time web search and numbered citations.
- Account and settings Perplexity Help Center Describes the AI data retention switch in Preferences.
- Memory Perplexity Help Center Explains memory, search history and clearing saved memories.
- Incognito mode troubleshooting Perplexity Help Center States that incognito sessions expire within 24 hours.
General information, not legal, medical, financial or investment advice. We are not affiliated with any company, agency or standards body named here. See our editorial policy and corrections, or tell us about a mistake at [email protected].