Zendesk Intercom
On what the policies say, Intercom is the better choice for your data: graded D against Zendesk's E.
Zendesk
Zendesk says it uses Service Data to improve its AI features. Paid accounts can opt out, but only by asking; Zendesk confirms a free trial cannot opt out at all, and that none of this is published.
Verdict
E
- Trains on you by default
- The opt-out is sold with a higher plan
- On by default. The opt-out is real but sold — it arrives with a higher plan. Privacy paywall.
- 5 Oct 2026
Intercom
Intercom's security page says Fin fine-tunes on anonymised customer data and that you can opt out at any time, without saying where. Third-party model providers are contractually barred from training.
Verdict
D
- Trains on you by default
- Opt out by contacting support
- On by default. An opt-out exists, but you have to go looking for it.
- 5 Oct 2026
Zendesk: every plan
Zendesk · what each plan can refuse · checked 5 Oct 2026
Paid accounts (AI Services)
YES
Contact support
Not stated
Not stated
Unknown
32 / 50
On by default, with a way out
18 / 33
Refusing means writing to the company
0 / 4
No paywall on the control
1 / 4
2 kinds of data are in scope
2 / 4
The policy does not say whether people read it
2 / 2
Nothing is said about de-identification
The right to refuse starts here
Standalone free trial (AI Services)
YES
Paid upgrade required
Not stated
Not stated
Unknown
50 / 50
Training is on and the opt-out is not on this plan, so the plan scores as no-opt-out
20 / 33
The way out is sold with a higher plan
0 / 4
No paywall on the control
1 / 4
2 kinds of data are in scope
2 / 4
The policy does not say whether people read it
2 / 2
Nothing is said about de-identification
Paid accounts (AI Services)TRAINS: YES
- Contact support
- Not stated
- 55 / 100
- Not stated
- Unknown
The right to refuse starts here
Standalone free trial (AI Services)TRAINS: YES
- Paid upgrade required
- Not stated
- 75 / 100
- Not stated
- Unknown
Intercom: every plan
Intercom · what each plan can refuse · checked 5 Oct 2026
All accounts (Fin)
YES
Contact support
Not stated
Yes, stated
Unknown
32 / 50
On by default, with a way out
18 / 33
Refusing means writing to the company
0 / 4
No paywall on the control
0 / 4
One kind of data is in scope
2 / 4
The policy does not say whether people read it
-2 / 2
The policy says data is de-identified first
All accounts (Fin)TRAINS: YES
- Contact support
- Not stated
- 50 / 100
- Yes, stated
- Unknown