Cursor Starter Guide › Privacy & Security

Is Cursor safe to use with private code?

Updated October 2026 · How we answer

Short answerCursor can be safe for private code if you use its privacy mode and understand its data handling. However, like any cloud-based AI tool, it involves sending code to servers, so review its policies for your needs.

Privacy features and data handling

Cursor offers a Privacy Mode that, when enabled, ensures your code is not stored or used for training. According to Cursor's documentation, in Privacy Mode, code snippets are only kept temporarily for the duration of the request and are not retained. This is similar to how other AI coding assistants handle privacy.

However, even with Privacy Mode, your code is sent to Cursor's servers (and possibly to third-party AI providers like OpenAI or Anthropic) to generate responses. So it's not entirely local. If your code is extremely sensitive, you may want to consider self-hosted alternatives or on-premise solutions.

  • Enable Privacy Mode in settings to prevent code retention and training use.
  • Cursor's privacy policy details what data is collected and how it's used.
  • For enterprise use, Cursor offers business plans with additional privacy controls.
  • You can also use local models via API keys to keep data on your own infrastructure.

Assessing risk for your situation

Whether Cursor is 'safe' depends on your code's sensitivity and your organization's policies. For personal projects or non-proprietary code, the risk is generally low. For proprietary or regulated code (e.g., in finance or healthcare), you should check compliance requirements and possibly get approval from your security team.

Many companies allow AI coding tools with proper safeguards, but some restrict them. It's always best to read Cursor's terms and privacy policy, and if in doubt, consult your legal or security team.

  • Check if your employer has policies about AI coding tools.
  • Review Cursor's privacy policy and terms of service.
  • Consider using a local model or self-hosted solution for maximum control.
  • Use Privacy Mode for an extra layer of protection.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming Cursor is completely local; it sends code to remote servers for processing.
  • Believing that Privacy Mode makes your code 100% secure; it reduces retention but data still leaves your machine.
  • Ignoring company policies; always check with your security team before using AI tools on proprietary code.
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