Does Cursor AI Store My Data? Here’s What You Need to Know
Cursor AI does not store your data when Privacy Mode is enabled. This mode, available by default for business users and manually for Pro users, enforces a Zero Data Retention policy—meaning no code or interaction data is saved. Prompts sent to third-party services like OpenAI and Anthropic are retained for 30 days for safety, but not when using the business plan. Users can also delete their accounts, with all associated data removed within 30 days.
Understanding Privacy Mode
As you explore Cursor AI, it’s important to understand the features of its Privacy Mode. This mode is designed to protect your data while you work, ensuring peace of mind for users who prioritize confidentiality.
Privacy Mode Features
Privacy Mode is automatically enabled for business users and can be manually activated by Pro users. Many enterprise users have this feature to safeguard the confidentiality of their code. By enabling Privacy Mode, you ensure that no data is saved or stored in Cursor’s database during interactions, especially when scanning files on your local computer (Cursor Forum).
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Activation | Automatically enabled for business users |
| Manual Activation | Available for Pro users |
| Data Deletion | All data is deleted post-interaction, not stored in any database |
| Compliance | Ensures adherence to privacy laws and guidelines |
Data Storage Protection
Your code data is in safe hands with Cursor AI’s Privacy Mode. The Zero Data Retention policy applies to users with Privacy Mode enabled, meaning Cursor will never store any of your code information. This policy also extends to interactions with third-party services like OpenAI and Anthropic, which only store prompts for 30 days for safety and trust reasons (Cursor Forum).
Additionally, more than 50% of users have opted to enable Privacy Mode, signifying its importance within the community. A parallel infrastructure is also in place to handle requests effectively while maintaining the privacy guarantees associated with this mode (Cursor Security).
This approach not only protects your data but also builds confidence that your interactions remain confidential and are not used for training by model providers. For more details on the risks and considerations of using Cursor AI, check out our article on what are the risks of cursor ai?.
Security Measures of Cursor AI
Ensuring the safety of your data is a top priority when using Cursor AI. The platform implements several security measures designed to protect your information and provide peace of mind.
SOC 2 Certification
Cursor AI is proudly SOC 2 Certified, which means it adheres to strict standards for data security and privacy, an important consideration for many users and organizations (Cursor Forum). This certification indicates that Cursor undergoes regular external audits to verify its compliance with the established security criteria, assuring you that your data is managed securely.
Key features of SOC 2 Certification:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Type of Certification | SOC 2 Type II |
| Audit Frequency | At least annually, conducted by reputable third parties |
| Security Policies Reviewed | Security practices, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy |
For more specific details about Cursor’s security practices, you can request access to their SOC 2 Type II report by visiting trust.cursor.com.
Infrastructure and Subprocessors
Cursor AI takes extensive measures to manage its infrastructure securely. Access to sensitive resources is granted on a least-privilege basis, meaning that users only have access to the information they absolutely need, minimizing potential security risks. Additionally, multi-factor authentication is enforced for accessing AWS resources, creating an extra layer of protection for your data.
| Security Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Access Control | Least-privilege access for sensitive resources |
| Multi-Factor Authentication | Required for AWS resource access |
| Network-Level Controls | Restrictions on access to improve security |
| Secrets Management | Controlled access to sensitive information |
Cursor also conducts annual penetration testing by reputable third-party firms to identify and address vulnerabilities promptly. Vulnerability reports are acknowledged within five business days, and the outcomes are published as security advisories on their GitHub page. This transparency helps ensure that you are aware of any potential risks and how they are being managed (Cursor).
If you’re curious about the overall security environment of Cursor AI and want to know how it impacts you while using the platform, you can explore more in our article about what are the risks of Cursor AI?.
Data Handling Policies
Understanding how data is managed is crucial for users like you who are concerned about privacy while using Cursor AI. Two pivotal policies define the data handling practices: Zero Data Retention Policy and Deletion of User Data.
Zero Data Retention Policy
Cursor AI adheres to a strict zero data retention policy. When you enable privacy mode, no code or user data will be stored by Cursor or any third-party services, except for OpenAI and Anthropic, which retain prompts for trust and safety for 30 days Cursor Forum. This policy is particularly beneficial for users who prioritize confidentiality while using AI tools.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Data Storage | No storage of user code |
| Third-Party Retention | OpenAI/Anthropic: 30 days only |
| Availability | Accessible to all users with privacy mode enabled |
Deletion of User Data
You have complete control over your data with Cursor AI. Users can delete their accounts anytime via the Settings dashboard. When you choose to do so, all associated data, including indexed codebases, will be removed within 30 days Word Spinner. Even if data is uploaded for processing, Cursor guarantees that no plaintext code remains post-request duration, ensuring your information is kept private.
| Action | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Account Deletion | Complete data removal within 30 days |
| Data Processing | No plaintext retained post-request |
Cursor AI’s robust policies ensure that you can use the platform with confidence, knowing your data privacy is a priority. For more information on potential risks, check out our article on what are the risks of cursor ai?.
Vulnerability Management
Annual Penetration Testing
Cursor AI takes security seriously, especially when it comes to managing vulnerabilities. To maintain a robust level of security, Cursor commits to at least annual penetration testing conducted by reputable third-party organizations. This testing simulates real-world attacks to identify and address potential security weaknesses in their systems.
The results of these tests play a crucial role in enhancing the overall security posture of the platform. By proactively addressing vulnerabilities, Cursor AI ensures that your data remains protected as outlined in their privacy measures.
Here’s a summary of their annual penetration testing process:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency | At least once a year |
| Conducted by | Reputable third-party organizations |
| Purpose | Identify and rectify security vulnerabilities |
Reporting Vulnerabilities
If you discover a vulnerability while using Cursor AI, the platform has a responsive reporting process. They acknowledge vulnerability reports within 5 business days, making sure that any potential issues are addressed promptly. This approach not only helps to protect your data but also fosters a community of responsible users working together to enhance the platform’s security.
The clear communication regarding vulnerability reporting allows you to feel more secure using the software. For more information on risks associated with Cursor AI, you can explore our article on what are the risks of cursor ai?.
By ensuring both thorough testing and a quick response to vulnerability reports, Cursor AI emphasizes its commitment to your security, providing peace of mind as you utilize their services.
Compliance and Certifications
Understanding the compliance and certifications of Cursor AI is important for your peace of mind around data security. The platform adheres to rigorous standards to ensure your data is handled appropriately.
SOC 2 Type II Certification
Cursor AI holds the SOC 2 Type II certification. This certification demonstrates their commitment to managing customer data based on five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. Achieving this certification shows that Cursor AI has implemented robust controls and policies to protect user information and ensure a secure environment. More information about their certification can be found on Cursor Security.
| Certification | Description |
|---|---|
| SOC 2 Type II | Focuses on the organization’s security practices and includes an audit of the effectiveness of these practices over time. |
Cursor also commits to conducting annual penetration testing by reputable third parties. This testing highlights vulnerabilities and ensures that the platform’s security measures are effective.
Subprocessor Agreements
When you use Cursor AI, it’s crucial to know who is involved in processing your data. Cursor AI has agreements with subprocessors that comply with data protection laws. These agreements ensure that any subcontractors handling your data meet stringent security standards.
Understanding these agreements gives you confidence in how your data is managed. For more detailed information on who handles your data and how it’s protected, visit who is behind cursor ai?.
If you have further questions about data safety and handling while using Cursor AI, consider exploring related topics like is cursor ai safe to use at work? or what are the risks of cursor ai?.
Leveraging Privacy Mode
Enabling Privacy Mode in Cursor AI is a key step in ensuring your data remains confidential and secure. This feature is particularly important for users who manage sensitive code or proprietary information.
Enabling Privacy Mode
For business users, Privacy Mode is enabled by default, which provides a significant layer of security. For Pro users, you can manually enable this feature in your settings. This ensures that your code data is not stored or used for model training by third-party providers. It’s worth noting that more than 50% of all Cursor users have Privacy Mode activated. The setup for this mode includes a dedicated infrastructure that handles requests while safeguarding your data.
| User Type | Privacy Mode Status |
|---|---|
| Business Users | Enabled by Default |
| Pro Users | Can Manually Enable |
Guaranteeing Data Privacy
When Privacy Mode is active, none of your code will be stored by Cursor or any associated third parties, except for OpenAI and Anthropic. These providers retain prompts for trust and safety, but only for 30 days when Privacy Mode is used. Business plan users have the additional security of not having their data retained at all by OpenAI or Anthropic.
Enforcement is strict, as logs from Privacy Mode are no-ops by default unless explicitly tagged. This ensures compliance and further protects your data. If you want to know more about the implications of data storage in Cursor, you can check out our article on what are the risks of cursor ai?.
While using Cursor, it is important to remain aware of how prompts sent to Anthropic or OpenAI may be treated according to their policies. Additional security measures may be necessary, especially for enterprise usage. For details about Cursor’s functionality, you might find our articles on can cursor ai make websites? or is cursor ai safe to use at work? useful.