A memory feature is a function that stores prior context from one session and reuses it later, so a system can appear to remember people, preferences, or ongoing tasks. In AI products, this can make conversations feel smoother and more personal because the model can reference earlier chats without the user repeating everything.
In cyber security, memory is sensitive because stored context can include personal data, credentials-related hints, work details, or behavioral patterns. If attackers gain access to the memory store, they may learn useful reconnaissance data or manipulate future responses. Memory can also carry over poisoned instructions, making prompt-injection attacks more persistent across sessions. Defenses include strict consent, retention limits, per-user isolation, access controls, logging, and a way to review or delete stored memory. Treated well, memory improves usability; treated poorly, it becomes a privacy and abuse risk.