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Airtel Perplexity Pro Free Offer: Hidden Privacy Risks Every Indian User Must Know Before Claiming

· 7 min read
Sahana
Sahana
Creative Specialist

Before you rush to claim Airtel's "free" Perplexity Pro offer worth ₹17,000, read this comprehensive privacy analysis. Your data security might be at stake. Airtel Perplexity Pro offer Privacy Policy

What is the Airtel Perplexity Pro Offer?​

Airtel is currently offering 12 months of Perplexity Pro absolutely free to all its customers (mobile, Wi-Fi, DTH subscribers). This premium AI-powered search service, normally priced at ₹17,000 ($200), is available without any credit card requirements from July 17, 2025, to January 17, 2026.

While this seems like an incredible deal, there are serious privacy implications that Airtel and Perplexity don't prominently disclose upfront.

The Hidden Privacy Costs: What Perplexity Actually Collects​

1. Extensive Personal Data Collection​

When you use Perplexity Pro through this Airtel offer, the service collects:

  • Personal identifiers: Name, email address, IP address, device information
  • Every AI conversation: All your questions, prompts, and search queries are permanently stored
  • Location tracking: Your approximate location through IP address monitoring
  • Browsing patterns: Clickstream data, timestamps, and usage behavior
  • Email content: If you sync Gmail or calendar, Perplexity accesses your complete email contents and contact lists

2. Your Data Trains Their AI Models​

Critical Alert: By default, every question you ask Perplexity is used to train and improve their AI models. Whether you're asking about:

  • Personal finance decisions
  • Relationship advice
  • Health concerns
  • Business strategies
  • Family matters

All of this becomes training data for their algorithms unless you manually opt out (which most users never discover).

3. International Data Storage Concerns​

Major Red Flag for Indian Users: Your data is stored on US-based servers, meaning:

  • American authorities can access your information under US legal requirements
  • Your Indian personal data becomes subject to American legal jurisdiction
  • Cross-border data transfers occur without explicit consent
  • Global support teams worldwide may access your conversations

India's Data Protection Gap: Why You're Vulnerable Right Now​

Here's what most Indians don't realize: India's Data Protection Act 2023 rules were only published in January 2025 and aren't fully implemented yet. This means:

  • Companies have limited legal obligations to protect your data properly
  • You have minimal legal recourse if your data gets misused
  • Privacy enforcement mechanisms are still developing
  • Your digital rights are in a regulatory gray area

How Your Data Gets Shared: The Web of Third Parties​

Perplexity shares your personal information with:

Business Partners​

  • Airtel receives your data as part of this promotional partnership
  • Other telecom and tech companies in their network

Service Providers​

  • Cloud storage companies (storing your conversations permanently)
  • Analytics firms (analyzing your behavior patterns)
  • Payment processors
  • Marketing communication services

Advertising Networks​

  • Your search patterns create detailed advertising profiles
  • Targeted ad campaigns based on your AI interactions
  • Cross-platform tracking for commercial purposes

Corporate Transactions​

Warning: If Perplexity gets sold, merged, or restructured, your entire data history transfers to the new owner without your explicit consent.

Data Retention: Why "Delete" Doesn't Mean Gone​

  • No specific deletion timeline for most data categories
  • Account deletion takes up to 30 days
  • Backup copies may persist indefinitely even after account deletion
  • Some data remains accessible in "archived" formats

Email Integration: The Biggest Privacy Risk​

If you sync your Gmail or Google Calendar:

  • Perplexity accesses complete email contents
  • Your entire contact list becomes accessible
  • Calendar appointments and personal schedules are stored
  • Email metadata and communication patterns are analyzed

While they claim this data isn't used for AI training, it's still processed and stored on international servers.

Age Restrictions and Teen Privacy​

  • Minimum age: 13 years
  • Users between 13-18 need parental consent in some jurisdictions
  • No special privacy protections for teenagers
  • Teen data receives the same treatment as adult information

Even if you're eligible for data protection rights, Perplexity explicitly states these rights are "not absolute" and can be declined. Available rights include:

  • Access your stored data
  • Request data deletion
  • Correct inaccurate information
  • Data portability
  • Restrict processing
  • Object to data use

However, the company reserves the right to deny these requests based on their assessment.

Security Limitations: No Guarantees​

Perplexity's own privacy policy states they cannot guarantee "perfect security" and that:

  • Data transmission may not be secure
  • Electronic communication carries inherent risks
  • Users are responsible for not sharing sensitive information through "unsecured channels"

How to Protect Yourself If You Still Want the Offer​

If you decide to claim the Airtel Perplexity Pro offer despite these risks, immediately take these protective steps:

Essential Privacy Settings (Do This First!)​

  • Opt out of AI training: Go to Settings → Privacy → Disable "Use my data for AI training"
  • Review data sharing settings: Turn off all unnecessary data sharing options
  • Disable location tracking: Prevent IP-based location collection where possible

Safe Usage Practices​

  • Create a separate email account: Don't use your primary Gmail for registration
  • Never sync your main email or calendar: Avoid connecting your primary accounts
  • Use private/incognito browsing mode: Every single time you access Perplexity
  • Regularly delete search history: Clear your conversation history frequently
  • Avoid sensitive queries: Never ask about financial details, personal documents, health issues, or confidential business matters

What Never to Share​

  • Aadhaar number or PAN card details
  • Bank account information or credit card numbers
  • Home address or exact location details
  • Personal family information
  • Confidential work or business data
  • Health or medical information

Should You Claim This Offer?​

✅ Consider Claiming If You:​

  • Understand and accept extensive data collection
  • Are comfortable with US-based data storage
  • Don't mind your queries training AI models
  • Won't be asking sensitive or personal questions
  • Can manually configure privacy settings properly

⚠️ Avoid This Offer If You:​

  • Are privacy-conscious about your search behavior
  • Handle sensitive personal or professional information
  • Are uncomfortable with international data transfers
  • Don't want your data used for commercial AI training
  • Cannot regularly monitor and manage privacy settings

The Bottom Line: Nothing is Truly "Free"​

Remember this fundamental truth: "If something is free, then you are the product."

The ₹17,000 value you're getting isn't actually free – you're paying with your personal data, privacy, and digital footprint. Perplexity and Airtel are monetizing your information through AI training, advertising partnerships, and data analytics.

Data is the new oil, and you're the oil field.

Making an Informed Decision​

This Airtel Perplexity Pro offer provides genuine value for users who need advanced AI capabilities. However, the privacy trade-offs are substantial and largely hidden from casual users.

Before claiming:

  • Read Perplexity's complete privacy policy (not just the summary)
  • Understand your local data protection rights (limited as they currently are in India)
  • Assess your personal privacy comfort level
  • Plan your data protection strategy if you proceed

Final Recommendation​

Your data, your choice. If you're comfortable with these privacy implications and will actively manage your settings, the offer has merit. If you value digital privacy and data sovereignty, consider whether the "free" service is worth the long-term privacy costs.

The most important step: Whatever you decide, make it an informed decision rather than an impulsive grab for a "free" offer.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is based on Perplexity's current privacy policy (last updated February 2025) and publicly available information about the Airtel partnership offer. Privacy policies and data practices can change. Always review current terms before making decisions about your personal data.

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