Approximately 2 weeks of interactions in a chat missing to “Prompted a sensitive query.”

Understanding Unexpected Data Loss in AI Chat Interactions: A Case Study and Guidance

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of digital communication, AI-powered chat tools like Gemini have become invaluable for managing complex and sensitive conversations. However, users sometimes encounter unexpected issues, such as missing data or suppressed queries, which can hinder productivity and record-keeping efforts. This article explores a recent experience involving unexplained data removal within a chat interface, discusses potential causes, and offers practical advice for users navigating similar challenges.

Overview of the Incident

A user reported that, during routine review and documentation tasks associated with a two-week period in September 2025, approximately 15 queries and their responses disappeared from the chat history. Specifically, these deletions affected interactions from September 20 to September 26, with the user noting that all entries prior to September 16 remained intact. Despite these entries being visible in the activity log, they were marked with a “Prompted a sensitive query” label, and no prior notification or explanation was provided.

Key Details

• The user’s interactions centered around managing communications with an ex-spouse within a coparenting context, involving sensitive legal and personal issues.

• The chat tool they used was Gemini, which facilitated summarizing voicemails, tracking call data, and drafting responses.

• The removed entries included a few related to formulating responses to a church concerning ongoing legal matters. These communications were devoid of threatening language but were nonetheless affected.

• The user observed that Gemini appeared to have rolled back or reset the sequence of interactions during this period.

Questions and Concerns

The user sought insights into whether such incidents are common, whether they may be triggered by certain query types (such as legal questions), or if usage practices—like attaching transcripts as PDFs—might influence data retention. There is also concern about whether the chat history is still reliable or if there is a risk of losing access to organized communication logs from an abusive ex-partner.

Potential Causes and Considerations

1. Automated Content Moderation or Filtering

2. The “Prompted a sensitive query” marker suggests that the system may have flagged the content for moderation based on its nature. AI platforms often implement filters to prevent the storage or display of sensitive, legal, or potentially problematic information.

3. System Updates or Data Rollbacks

4. Software updates or maintenance procedures sometimes inadvertently affect stored data or chat histories, leading to resets or rollbacks.

5. User-initiated Purges or Administrative Actions

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