AI Coding Agent Security & Privacy
March 22, 2026
AI coding tools see your code. Security and privacy matter.
Where code goes
Many tools send snippets or context to the cloud for inference. Check each vendor’s policy: what’s sent, stored, and whether it’s used for training.
On-prem and air-gapped
If you can’t send code off-site, look for on-prem or air-gapped options (e.g. some Tabnine deployments). Not all tools offer this.
Secrets and credentials
Never paste secrets, API keys, or credentials into prompts or files the agent can see. Use env vars and secrets managers; keep them out of repo and agent context.
Compliance
For regulated industries, ensure the vendor’s data handling and DPAs meet your requirements (e.g. HIPAA, SOC 2).
For review automation, AI Code Review Automation. For the niche, AI Coding Agent.