Open Data Controls
Go to Settings → Data Controls. This is where the training setting lives, separate from the Memory settings under Personalization.
Memory & training data
Is ChatGPT memory used to train models?
Memory content is part of your conversation data, so the question "is my memory used for training?" is really the question "are my conversations used for training?" The answer depends on your account type. This guide explains what happens on consumer accounts versus business plans, exactly how to opt out, and what Temporary Chat changes — sticking to verifiable points and pointing you to OpenAI's own policy.
Quick answer
It depends on your account
On consumer accounts, conversations — including memory content — may be used to improve OpenAI's models by default, with an opt-out. Business plans generally don't use business data to train by default. Temporary Chats aren't used for training at all.
| Account / mode | Used to train models? | How to change it |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Plus / Pro (consumer) | By default, conversations including memory content may be used to improve models. | Opt out: Settings → Data Controls → turn off "Improve the model for everyone." |
| Temporary Chat | Not used for training; not saved to history; no memory read/write. | Just start a Temporary Chat for that conversation. |
| Team / Enterprise / API | Business data is generally not used to train models by default. | Defaults differ; see business data controls. |
Policies and labels change. Confirm the current behavior on OpenAI's Data Controls FAQ and Memory FAQ.
How to opt out
Turning off training on a consumer account
Training and memory are separate settings. Turning off memory does not turn off training, and vice versa — so set each one deliberately.
Turn off "Improve the model for everyone"
Disabling this is what governs whether your conversation data — including memory content — may be used to improve OpenAI's models. The exact label can change.
Use Temporary Chat for sensitive topics
A Temporary Chat is never used for training and never touches memory, so it's the simplest per-conversation safeguard.
Understand the limits of opting out
Opting out generally affects future use rather than retroactively undoing past use. For what it does and doesn't change, rely on OpenAI's current help center articles.
Related: memory & privacy · Temporary Chat · delete memory
Important nuances
What opting out does and doesn't do
| Point | What to know |
|---|---|
| Training ≠ memory | The training setting and the memory settings are independent. You can keep memory on for personalization while opting out of training, or the reverse. |
| Opting out is forward-looking | It generally affects how your data is used going forward; data already processed may not be reversible. Verify on OpenAI's help center. |
| Legal / retention context | As general industry context, providers' deletion and retention can sometimes be affected by legal obligations. This is general; rely on OpenAI's current stated policy for specifics. |
| Business is different by default | Team, Enterprise and API data are generally not used to train models by default — see business controls. |
Reduce what any one model learns from you
Spread your usage across providers
Even with training opted out, all your context still sits with one provider. A privacy-minded habit is to spread usage across models and keep sensitive topics in memory-free sessions, so no single assistant is fed everything. A multi-model workspace lets you choose which model sees which prompt.
All-in-one
MultipleChat AI
multiplechat.aiUse ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and other models in one place — choose where each prompt goes instead of feeding everything to a single assistant.
Privacy-first: MultipleChat doesn't save your chats to memory and doesn't share your data with model providers or let them train on it. Other privacy-focused options include Duck.ai, Proton Lumo, Brave Leo and Kagi Assistant; for full local control, self-hosted tools like Ollama or Jan keep everything on your device.
OpenAIChatGPT
chatgpt.comOffers Temporary Chat (no history, not used for training), a training opt-out under Settings → Data Controls, and editable memory. By default, consumer chats may be used to improve models unless you opt out — verify on OpenAI's help center.
AnthropicClaude
claude.aiAnthropic gives you data and training controls and has historically taken a privacy-conscious stance on consumer chats, but its training and retention settings have changed over time — check your current privacy settings in the app.
GoogleGemini
gemini.google.comGemini Apps Activity lets you pause history and delete past activity, but sampled conversations can be reviewed by humans, so avoid sharing confidential information. Review your Activity controls.
MicrosoftCopilot
copilot.microsoft.comMicrosoft 365 Copilot (business) doesn't use your organization's data to train models and adds Enterprise Data Protection; consumer Copilot has a privacy dashboard to review and delete your history. Check current Microsoft policies.
PerplexityPerplexity
perplexity.aiPerplexity has an "AI data retention" setting you can switch off so your searches aren't used to improve its models, plus account-level data controls. Confirm the current options in settings.
All guides
ChatGPT memory: every guide
How memory worksThe technical walkthrough.
Saved vs chat historyThe two layers compared.
Turn memory on/offManage the settings.
Delete memoryClear individual or all.
Memory & privacyRisks and how to reduce them.
Memory & trainingIs it used to train models?
Temporary ChatMemory-free conversations.
Memory not working?Troubleshooting steps.
Memory limitsHow much it can hold.
Team & EnterpriseMemory and data controls.
Memory vs custom instructionsWhat's the difference?
Memory FAQEvery common question.
FAQ
Memory & training — quick answers
Hedged, account-specific answers on training, opting out, and what Temporary Chat changes.
Is ChatGPT memory used to train OpenAI's models?
Memory content is part of your conversation data, so the same training controls that apply to your chats apply to memory. On consumer accounts (Free, Plus, Pro), conversations including memory content may be used to improve OpenAI's models by default. You can opt out in Settings → Data Controls by turning off "Improve the model for everyone." Business, Team, Enterprise and API data are generally handled under different terms. Verify the current policy on OpenAI's site.
How do I opt out of training in ChatGPT?
On a consumer account, go to Settings → Data Controls and turn off "Improve the model for everyone." This setting governs whether your conversations, including memory content, may be used to improve OpenAI's models. The exact label and location can change, so confirm on OpenAI's Data Controls article. Turning this off doesn't delete data already retained; it affects future use.
Does the training opt-out also cover memory content?
Yes, in the sense that memory content is part of your conversation data. The training setting in Data Controls governs your conversations as a whole, and saved memories and chat-history signals are part of that data. So turning off "Improve the model for everyone" is what reduces the use of your conversation data, including memory, for model improvement. Check OpenAI's documentation for the precise current scope.
Are Temporary Chats used for training?
No. Temporary Chats aren't used to train OpenAI's models. They also don't appear in history and don't read or create memories. OpenAI says it keeps a copy for a short period (around 30 days) for safety, then deletes it. If you want a conversation that stays out of training and memory entirely, Temporary Chat is the option to use.
Is business, Team, Enterprise and API data used for training?
Business offerings — Team, Enterprise and the API — generally don't use your business data to train OpenAI's models by default. This is a key difference from consumer accounts, where training is on by default unless you opt out. The exact terms, controls and any exceptions vary by plan, so review OpenAI's business documentation and your agreement for current details.
Does turning off memory stop my data being used for training?
Not by itself. Turning off memory changes whether ChatGPT retains and reuses information across chats; it's separate from the training setting. To reduce use of your conversation data for model improvement on a consumer account, turn off "Improve the model for everyone" in Data Controls. To keep a single conversation out of training and memory, use Temporary Chat.
If I opt out, is my previously used data removed?
Opting out generally affects how your data is used going forward rather than retroactively undoing past use. Data already processed or incorporated may not be reversible. For specifics on what opting out does and doesn't change, and on retention timelines, rely on OpenAI's current help center articles rather than assumptions.
Can deletion or retention be affected by legal holds?
As general industry context, providers' deletion and retention behavior can sometimes be affected by legal or regulatory obligations, such as preservation requirements. This is a general point, not a specific claim about OpenAI's current practice. For what actually applies to your account, including retention timelines and any obligations, rely on OpenAI's current, stated policy.
Does opting out of training make ChatGPT less useful?
Opting out of model training is about whether your conversations help improve OpenAI's models in general; it's separate from personalization features like memory. You can keep memory on for personalized answers while opting out of training, or vice versa. The settings are independent, so you can tune each to your preference in Settings.
What's the most private way to use ChatGPT regarding training?
On a consumer account, turn off "Improve the model for everyone" in Data Controls, use Temporary Chat for sensitive or one-off topics, and keep sensitive details out of memory. If you need stronger default protections, business plans generally don't use business data to train models by default. Verify current behavior and any exceptions on OpenAI's help center and business documentation.