Audit: only 14 of 29 AI products offer an ad data opt-out
Privacy and policy · 31 Oct 2026 · By the Cofoundr team
A group of university researchers reviewed the privacy documentation of 30 AI products from 18 large companies and counted the controls users are given. Their preprint, reported by PPC Land, has not yet been peer reviewed.
The key points
- 14 of 29 applicable products let users opt out of data sale or sharing for advertising, and 10 of 23 offer an ad personalization opt-out, according to the authors.
- Meta AI is among the products audited, but PPC Land does not report its individual results.
- The authors say the audit counts documented controls rather than testing them, was run from the US, and may miss controls behind logins.
What it means for agencies
As AI assistants become places where people research purchases, privacy rules around how that data feeds advertising are likely to draw attention. Agencies should not assume consumers can opt out everywhere, and should be ready to explain to clients what audience data is used and where. Treat this as early research rather than a verdict on any single platform.
Source: PPC Land. This is our own summary. Read the original for the full detail, and check Meta's current documentation before changing client accounts.