AI Assistant May Have Exposed Mother and Daughter Trying to Disappear in South America

The case of Mally and Liel Yehalomi, a mother and daughter who attempted to vanish in South America, has highlighted a unique privacy risk involving AI chatbots. Authorities suspect that the chatbot Gemini may have revealed their plans, though it remains unclear how police accessed their conversations, whether through an open Google account, family consent, or a court order. The exact role of this information in locating them is also unknown.

Unlike traditional Google searches or messaging apps, AI chatbots like Gemini engage users in conversational interactions that can reveal deeper personal insights. Users often share fears, plans, and decisions, allowing the chatbot to understand not just what was searched but why, including internal deliberations and emotional states. This creates a heightened privacy risk, as the chatbot stores sensitive data that can be used by technology companies or law enforcement under legal conditions.

The Israeli Privacy Protection Authority has warned that prompts to AI may contain sensitive personal information, recommending users limit identifiable details and use general language when possible. Furthermore, deleting chat history does not guarantee immediate erasure; Gemini retains data by default for 18 months unless settings are changed, and Google may keep conversations for up to 72 hours or longer under certain circumstances.

Experts advise that while AI chatbots are valuable tools, users should not treat them as confidential friends. It is important to review memory and data retention settings, understand permissions granted, and consider carefully before sharing sensitive information. The Yehalomi case serves as a cautionary example that technology can assist with many tasks, but disappearing without a trace is not one of them.