Update : Clarified the applicability of model provider usage policies, removed duplicative (export control) terms present in the DuckDuckGo Terms of Service, harmonized the procedures for updates to these terms with the DuckDuckGo Terms of Service, and made other non-material edits. No changes have been made to the AI Chat Privacy Policy.

DuckDuckGo AI Chat Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

When you interact with DuckDuckGo AI Chat (“AI Chat”), responses (“Outputs”) are generated based on the text you submit (“Prompts”).

We do not save or store your Prompts or Outputs.

Additionally, all metadata that contains personal information (for example, your IP address) is obfuscated from underlying model providers (for example, OpenAI, Anthropic).

If you submit personal information in your Prompts, it may be reproduced in the Outputs, but no one can tell whether it was you personally submitting the Prompts or someone else.

We have agreements with model providers to further protect your privacy.

As noted above, we call model providers on your behalf so your personal information (for example, IP address) is not exposed to them. In addition, we have agreements in place with all model providers that further limit how they can use data from these anonymous requests that includes not using Prompts and Outputs to develop or improve their models as well as deleting all information received within 30 days.

Our general Privacy Policy also applies here. If there is a conflict with our general Privacy Policy, this AI Chat Privacy Policy applies.

Terms of Service

You retain all intellectual property rights in your Prompts and Outputs.

We claim no ownership of either your Prompts or Outputs. You grant us a limited intellectual property license permitting us only to process your Prompts and provide you the Outputs consistent with our Privacy Policy. You represent and warrant that you have all necessary rights and permissions to include any personal data or third-party content in your Prompts.

Outputs may be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise unreliable.

By its very nature, AI Chat generates text with limited information. As such, Outputs that appear complete or accurate because of their detail or specificity may not be. For example, AI Chat cannot dynamically retrieve information and so Outputs may be outdated. You should not rely on any Output without verifying its contents using other sources, especially for professional advice (like medical, financial, or legal advice).

Outputs may be offensive.

Outputs don't represent our views.

AI Chat is only intended for and available to people who are age 13 or older.

If you are under the age of majority in your jurisdiction you must have your parent or legal guardian's permission to use AI Chat.

The models accessible through AI Chat are subject to the model provider's usage policies. Broadly, that means that using AI Chat for illegal, harmful, regulated, and sexually explicit purposes is prohibited.

AI Chat allows you to use models from leading model providers without being tracked. These model providers have usage policies, and our Terms therefore mirror those policies. For example, usage policies from Anthropic and OpenAI apply to their respective models.

Accordingly, it is a violation of these Terms to use AI Chat for anything:

  • Illegal or harmful to others, including generating hateful, harassing, or threatening content, or using Outputs for anything fraudulent or deceptive.
  • Violating other's rights or property, including privacy and intellectual property rights, creating spam, malware, computer viruses, or gaining access to computer systems without authorization.
  • Sexually explicit or obscene.
  • With high risk of physical or economic harm, including designing weapons, explosives, or other dangerous materials, or promoting multi-level marketing, gambling, or sports betting.
  • In a regulated area, including providing legal, financial, or medical advice or services, political campaigning or lobbying, determining eligibility for financial products or creditworthiness, housing (leases and home loans), employment, or more generally for governmental decision-making, such as law enforcement or immigration decisions.
  • Interfering with or negatively impacting AI Chat or other DuckDuckGo Services, including automated querying and developing or offering AI services, such as training an AI model.

Safety features created by model providers may try to prevent you from misusing AI Chat.

To avoid misuse, model providers embed safety mechanisms to block certain Prompts and the generation of certain Outputs.

If you break the law or violate these Terms when using AI Chat for commercial purposes and we get sued, you may have to take responsibility.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless DuckDuckGo, its affiliates, employees, and any other agents from and against any claims, losses, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising from or relating to your use of AI Chat for commercial purposes, including your subsequent use of any Outputs, your breach of these Terms, or violation of applicable law.

We will notify you when these AI Chat Privacy Policy or Terms are updated.

We will notify you of changes by posting the modified version at duckduckgo.com/aichat/privacy-terms. We will indicate the date it was last modified below with an update message on top if substantive changes were made. Continuing to access or use AI Chat after any changes constitutes your consent and agreement to any new terms.

We may suspend or terminate your access to AI Chat at any time if you violate these Terms.

Our general DuckDuckGo Terms of Service also applies here. If there is a conflict with our general DuckDuckGo Terms of Service, these AI Chat Terms of Service apply.

Last updated: April 3, 2024