How to stop ChatGPT from using your data for training
25 October 2026 · Guides · 2 min read
I originally thought that privacy in ChatGPT was locked behind a paywall, I'm not sure if it ever was, but it isn't now.
On personal Free, Plus and Pro accounts, your chats can be used for training by default. You can switch it off by logging into your account online, then click your name in the bottom left. Click Settings, then Data controls. You'll then see the setting to switch off the "Improve the model for everyone" setting.
The same setting is available in the iOS and Android app. Tap the menu button in the top left, then the settings cog at the bottom. Scroll down until you find Data controls, tap it and switch off the "Improve model for everyone" toggle.
There's a Reddit thread called "Privacy option turned off by ChatGPT" about this setting switching itself off. It's one user's report and I haven't seen OpenAI confirm it, but it's worth checking every now and again that the setting remains off.
Note that OpenAI says turning this off applies to new conversations. It doesn't say what happens to chats you've already had, so assume anything you've already typed may have been used.
Of course, if you're happy for your chats to be used to improve the model then you can leave this setting on. I would strongly recommend switching it off in a work environment to protect company information. Better yet, switch to a business plan instead.
Temporary chat
Tapping the speech bubble icon in the top right of the chat window starts a Temporary Chat. OpenAI says these chats aren't used to improve its models even if you have the setting toggled on, but it may keep a copy for up to 30 days for safety reasons.
A note on the feedback buttons
Be aware that if you give feedback on a reply, for example with the thumbs up or thumbs down, OpenAI says the whole conversation may be used for training even if you have the "Improve the model for everyone" setting off. It's worth just ignoring them - as far as I can tell they won't make the answers any different in your chat.
Business accounts
OpenAI say they don't use your data to train their models by default on business plans, including Business, Enterprise and Edu.
Sources
Checked 25 October 2026.
- OpenAI Help Center: Data controls in ChatGPT
- OpenAI Help Center: How your data is used to improve model performance
- Reddit: Privacy option turned off by ChatGPT (one user's report, not confirmed by OpenAI)