Driver FixRecommendedSound, Wi-Fi or graphics acting up? Check drivers firstFind missing or outdated drivers fast.Check DriversHalloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
FREEDOM251

Freedom251 › Blog › AI

How to Stop ChatGPT From Using Your Conversations to Improve Its Models

By Freedom251 Team · · 12 min read

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To stop new ChatGPT conversations from being used to improve OpenAI’s models, open your account menu and choose Settings → Data controls, then turn off Improve the model for everyone. On iPhone and Android, open the sidebar, tap your profile icon, select Data controls, and switch off the same control. OpenAI says the setting applies to conversations you start after opting out; it does not delete chats already in your history.

If your goal is different—such as keeping one conversation out of history, removing an old chat, or limiting data from a work workspace—you need a different control. The options overlap, but they are not interchangeable.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Turn off model improvement first

The setting you need is called Improve the model for everyone. It is an account-level control for personal ChatGPT use. Turning it off is the straightforward way to keep using ordinary chats while excluding new conversations from model-improvement use.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

On the web

  1. Sign in to ChatGPT.
  2. Open your account or profile menu.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Open Data controls.
  5. Switch Improve the model for everyone off.

OpenAI says conversations started after you opt out will not be used to train its models. The preference for a signed-in account follows you across devices, so you do not need to repeat the change on every computer or phone. It affects new conversations going forward; it is not a retroactive eraser for chats you already sent.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
TOZO A1 Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.3 Light Weight in Ear Headphones | IPX5 Waterproof,2 Mics for AI Calls,Immersive Premium Sound Bass Headset with Charging Case,32 EQ via App Black
  • [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
  • [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
  • [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
  • [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
  • [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.

On iPhone or Android

  1. Open the ChatGPT app and open the sidebar.
  2. Tap your profile icon.
  3. Choose Data controls.
  4. Turn off Improve the model for everyone.

App labels can change as OpenAI updates ChatGPT. If the wording or menu location differs, look for the Data controls section and the control with this name. Check that the switch is visibly off before closing Settings.

When you are signed out

OpenAI’s Data Controls guidance also provides the same control for signed-out use. Open Settings and turn off Improve the model for everyone. When you are signed out, the choice is saved in that browser rather than attached to an account. Using another browser, another device, private browsing, or clearing stored site data can therefore leave you with a different setting. If you use ChatGPT without signing in in several browsers, check each one separately.

What opting out changes—and what it does not

The control is about future model-improvement use, not about erasing your account data.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
What happens What does not happen
New conversations after the setting is turned off are not used to train OpenAI’s models, according to OpenAI. Existing regular, archived, and project chats are not automatically deleted or hidden.
A signed-in preference applies across your devices. The setting does not remove conversations from chat history.
You can continue using normal chats and their usual account features. It does not act as a blanket deletion request for every copy of your data.

OpenAI describes the result this way in its Data Controls FAQ: “Your conversations will still appear in your chat history but won’t be used to train ChatGPT.” That sentence captures the key distinction: opting out changes the permitted use of new conversations, while history remains available unless you take a separate deletion action.

This also means that seeing a chat in the sidebar after opting out is expected. The history interface and model-improvement permission are separate functions. Do not turn the setting back on simply because your old conversations remain visible.

Important exception: response feedback can reopen model-improvement use

On individual plans, OpenAI says that sending feedback about a response—such as a thumbs-up or thumbs-down—can allow the entire conversation associated with that feedback to be used to improve models even after you have opted out.

This means the safest workflow is to avoid submitting thumbs-up or thumbs-down feedback on a conversation when you do not want that conversation considered for model improvement. The exception applies to the conversation linked to the feedback, not just the short comment or rating itself. A feedback action can therefore change the result you expected from the account-level opt-out for that particular conversation.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If you need to report a problem in a sensitive chat, first consider whether the report requires attaching feedback to the conversation. The documented exception is specifically about feedback on individual plans, so managed workspaces may have different organization rules; follow the workspace’s policy.

Rank #2
Sale
Smart Watch for Men Women Compatible with iPhone Samsung Android Phone 1.69 inch Full Touch Screen IP68 Waterproof Bluetooh Fitness Tracker Heart Rate/Sleep Monitor (Black)
  • 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
  • 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
  • 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
  • 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
  • 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.

Use Temporary Chat when you do not want a conversation in history

Turning off Improve the model for everyone is the right choice when you want ordinary chats to remain in your history but not be used for model improvement. Temporary Chat is a different tool for a different outcome: the conversation does not appear in history and does not create or update memories while it remains temporary.

How to choose Temporary Chat

Start a Temporary Chat from the chat composer or the option ChatGPT provides for temporary conversations. Confirm that the conversation is marked temporary before entering information. The exact button or placement can change with the interface, but the purpose is the same: an isolated session rather than a normal saved thread.

How Temporary Chat behaves

  • Temporary Chats are not used to improve OpenAI models while they remain temporary.
  • They do not appear in your normal chat history.
  • They do not create or update memories.
  • OpenAI may retain a copy for up to 30 days for safety purposes.
  • If you save a Temporary Chat, it becomes a regular chat and follows the ordinary account settings for history, personalization, and model improvement.

The 30-day period is a maximum stated in OpenAI’s consumer-services guidance for a safety copy, not a promise that every copy is deleted at an identical moment. Safety, legal, and security requirements can affect handling. Temporary does not mean that no system can retain a copy during that period.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Personalization still matters

A Temporary Chat can be started with personalization enabled. In that case, it may use existing memories, custom instructions, or plugins even though the new conversation is not added to history and is excluded from model improvement while temporary. If you want the least personalized version of a Temporary Chat, choose the non-personalized option when starting it.

Not creating a new memory is different from ignoring information that already exists. If the conversation is personalized, existing memories or custom instructions may shape replies. Review the option shown when you start the chat if limiting that context matters.

Choose the option that matches your goal

Your goal Use this Result
Keep normal history but prevent new chats from model improvement Turn off Improve the model for everyone New conversations are excluded from training; saved chats remain in history.
Keep one conversation out of history and memory Start a Temporary Chat The chat stays temporary, is not used for model improvement, and may be retained for safety for up to 30 days.
Remove a saved conversation from your account view Delete that chat separately It disappears from the account view immediately and enters OpenAI’s deletion process.

Delete chats separately when removal is the goal

If you want a conversation gone from your account, use the chat’s deletion control. Turning off model improvement does not perform this action, and deleting a chat does not substitute for changing the model-improvement setting on future chats.

OpenAI says a deleted chat is removed from the account view immediately and is scheduled for permanent deletion from its systems within 30 days. The stated exceptions are important: deletion can take longer when OpenAI must retain data for security or legal obligations, and the 30-day process does not apply in the same way to information that has already been de-identified and disassociated.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Delete a saved conversation only after checking whether you need its contents later. A deleted regular chat is not restored by switching the training setting on or off. If you have several copies of the same material in projects, archives, or other chats, deleting one thread does not automatically delete those other copies.

Rank #3
New Bee Guitar Cable 10ft Electric Instrument Bass AMP Cord
  • [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
  • [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
  • [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
  • [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
  • [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by

Deletion versus hiding

Archiving changes where a conversation appears; it is not the same as deletion. Keeping a chat in a project or regular history likewise does not mean that opting out has failed. Use deletion when the objective is removal from the account view and the deletion process, and use Data controls when the objective is to change model-improvement eligibility for new chats.

Personal accounts and managed workspaces are not the same

OpenAI says content from ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare workspaces is not used to train models by default. Those environments still have organization-level settings, access policies, and retention rules.

If you use a work or school account, do not assume that the personal-account switch is the authority for your data. The workspace administrator may control retention, permitted features, and data handling. Check your organization’s guidance or ask its administrator before entering confidential material. The personal Improve the model for everyone setting should not be presented as a universal override for a managed workspace.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Moving between a personal account and an organization workspace can change which policy applies. Before sharing company, student, patient, or client information, identify the active workspace and follow its rules. A default of no training in a managed workspace does not eliminate the need to understand access permissions or retention periods set by the organization.

Codex has an additional environment setting

OpenAI’s Data Controls documentation says the ChatGPT model-improvement setting also applies to Codex tasks on personal ChatGPT plans. However, Codex has a separate Include environments setting that controls whether additional environment context can be used for training.

Changing Improve the model for everyone does not change Include environments. If you use Codex and want to limit training use of environment context, review both controls independently. This distinction matters because a ChatGPT-level opt-out is not the same as disabling every Codex data-sharing option.

Review the two settings whenever you change how Codex accesses an environment. The account-level switch covers the ChatGPT side of the setting; the environment option governs the additional context Codex may receive.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Which setting should you use?

Use this decision guide before sending sensitive information:

Rank #4
BSIMB 15.6" Digital Family Calendar & Chore Chart, No Subscription Fees
  • Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
  • Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
  • All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
  • Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
  • Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
  • Want normal conversations to stay available? Turn off Improve the model for everyone. Your new chats can remain in history and normal personalization can continue.
  • Want a one-off conversation absent from history? Start a Temporary Chat and do not save it.
  • Already saved a chat and want it removed? Delete it separately; the opt-out switch will not erase it.
  • Using a work, school, or healthcare workspace? Follow the organization’s policy and administrator controls.
  • Using Codex? Check both the account-level control and the separate Include environments setting.
  • Considering response feedback? Remember that thumbs-up or thumbs-down feedback on an individual plan can make the associated conversation eligible for model improvement despite an opt-out.

These choices can be combined. For example, you can turn off the account-level setting for everyday use, open a Temporary Chat for a one-off matter, and delete an old saved thread. Combining controls is often clearer than trying to make one option accomplish all three goals.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to check that your choice is doing what you expect

Check the setting on each type of session you use

For a signed-in account, verify the switch once in the web interface and once in the mobile app if you use both. The preference should follow the account across devices. For signed-out use, check every browser where you use ChatGPT because the choice is stored in that browser.

Do not use history as proof of training use

A conversation remaining visible in history is expected after opting out. History visibility and model-improvement eligibility are separate functions. Likewise, deleting a chat from view is a data-removal action, not evidence that the model-improvement control was enabled.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recheck after account or workspace changes

If you sign into a different account, switch from personal ChatGPT to an organization workspace, or begin using Codex, review the relevant controls again. Different account types and workspace policies can produce different defaults.

Do not save a Temporary Chat by accident

Saving changes its status to a regular chat. After saving, it follows regular chat behavior rather than the temporary-chat protections, so keep the conversation temporary if the absence from history is important.

Keep the timing in mind

The setting applies to conversations you start after opting out. If a chat was already created while the control was on, changing the switch later does not rewrite that chat’s past status. If that older conversation should no longer remain in the account, use the separate delete action.

A practical privacy workflow

  1. Set the account-level preference: In Settings → Data controls, turn off Improve the model for everyone.
  2. Use Temporary Chat for isolated sessions: Start one when the conversation should not appear in history or update memory, and choose the non-personalized option if existing personalization should not be used.
  3. Avoid response feedback on sensitive chats: On individual plans, feedback can make the associated conversation eligible for model improvement.
  4. Delete saved chats you no longer need: Deletion is separate from the opt-out and starts its own retention process.
  5. Review managed-workspace and Codex controls: Follow administrator policies and inspect Include environments separately where applicable.

These controls address different stages of the data lifecycle: model-improvement permission, temporary handling, account history, and organization or environment-specific settings. Using the one that matches your actual goal avoids assuming that a single switch provides deletion, anonymity, or workspace-wide coverage.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming visible history means opt-out failed: Chats can remain visible while new conversations are excluded from model improvement.
  • Using archive instead of delete: Archiving does not remove the conversation from the account.
  • Saving a Temporary Chat: Saving converts it to a regular chat and changes the protections that apply while it is temporary.
  • Submitting a rating automatically: On an individual plan, feedback can make the associated conversation eligible for model improvement despite the switch being off.
  • Applying personal settings to an employer account: Managed workspaces have their own defaults and administrator controls.
  • Checking only ChatGPT when using Codex: The separate Include environments control must be reviewed independently.
  • Treating 30 days as an exact guarantee: Both Temporary Chat safety retention and deleted-chat deletion have stated qualifications.

What the 30-day figures mean

Two separate OpenAI statements use a 30-day period, and they should not be confused:

Action Stated period Qualification
Temporary Chat safety copy Up to 30 days OpenAI may retain a copy for safety while the chat remains temporary.
Deleted saved chat Scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days Security, legal, and prior de-identification exceptions can affect the process.

Neither figure should be read as a guarantee that every system copy disappears at precisely the 30-day mark. The periods describe OpenAI’s stated handling, with the qualifications above, rather than a promise that every copy is treated identically in every circumstance.

Bottom line for most personal users

Turn off Improve the model for everyone under Settings → Data controls to exclude new conversations from model improvement while keeping ordinary chat history. Use Temporary Chat when you also want a conversation kept out of history and memory, delete saved chats separately when removal is required, and treat response feedback, managed workspaces, and Codex environment settings as separate privacy considerations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will turning off Improve the model for everyone delete my existing chats?

No. Existing regular, archived, and project chats can remain in history. Delete a chat separately if you want it removed from the account view.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Does the setting apply on my phone and computer?

For a signed-in account, OpenAI says the preference applies across devices. Signed-out choices are saved only in the browser where you made them.

Are Temporary Chats used to improve models?

They are not used to improve OpenAI models while they remain temporary. They do not appear in history or create or update memories, but OpenAI may retain a copy for up to 30 days for safety.

What happens if I save a Temporary Chat?

Saving converts it to a regular chat. It then follows ordinary history, personalization, and model-improvement settings.

Can feedback override my opt-out?

On individual plans, OpenAI says a thumbs-up or thumbs-down can make the entire associated conversation eligible for model improvement even after you opt out.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How long does OpenAI keep a deleted chat?

OpenAI says a deleted chat is removed from your account view immediately and scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days, subject to security, legal, and prior de-identification exceptions.

Are Business or Enterprise chats covered by this personal setting?

Business, Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare workspace content is not used to train models by default, but organization settings, access policies, and retention rules still apply. Ask your administrator for the workspace policy.

Does the ChatGPT setting cover Codex environment data?

The ChatGPT model-improvement setting applies to Codex tasks on personal plans, but Codex also has a separate Include environments setting. Review both independently.

The Bottom Line

For personal ChatGPT use, turn off Improve the model for everyone in Settings → Data controls. That excludes new conversations from model improvement while leaving normal history intact. Use Temporary Chat for a conversation you do not want in history or memory, delete saved chats separately, avoid feedback on sensitive conversations, and check workspace and Codex controls when those apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

AIChatGPTdata controlsPrivacyTemporary Chat

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.