Does Character.AI train on your data?
Character.AI · AI companion chat · official site ↗
Trains by defaultNo zero-retention optionOpt-out available
Does Character.AI train its models on your data?
Yes — Character.AI trains on your data by default; you have to opt out.
Character.AI uses your chat content with Characters to train and improve its proprietary generative models by default, with an in-product opt-out that is only officially documented for EEA/UK users.
Can you opt out?
Only users in the EEA or UK get a documented toggle: Settings → Data & Privacy (app) or Settings → Account → Manage Account & Data → Model Improvement (web), then deselect "Improve the Model for Everyone." Users outside the EEA/UK have no equivalent self-serve training opt-out and effectively rely on exercising regional rights (e.g. CCPA) or deleting their account.
Zero retention / DPA
No zero-data-retention or DPA offering is published for the consumer product. Conversations are collected and retained; even after opting out of training, data may still be used for other service improvements.
What the listicles get wrong
The nuance content farms miss: the opt-out exists only for EEA/UK; for users elsewhere there is no documented training toggle, and opting out stops future training but not other reuse of your conversations. The Aug 27 2025 policy update broadened collection rights and drew a user backlash.
Verdict by plan tier
Consumer (Free / c.ai+)Trains unless you opt outChat content is used to train and improve models by default; the documented opt-out applies only to EEA/UK accounts, leaving everyone else without a self-serve toggle.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Character.AI train its AI models on my data?
Yes — Character.AI trains on your data by default; you have to opt out. Character.AI uses your chat content with Characters to train and improve its proprietary generative models by default, with an in-product opt-out that is only officially documented for EEA/UK users.
Can I opt out of Character.AI training on my data?
Only users in the EEA or UK get a documented toggle: Settings → Data & Privacy (app) or Settings → Account → Manage Account & Data → Model Improvement (web), then deselect "Improve the Model for Everyone." Users outside the EEA/UK have no equivalent self-serve training opt-out and effectively rely on exercising regional rights (e.g. CCPA) or deleting their account.
Does Character.AI offer zero data retention (ZDR) or a DPA?
No zero-data-retention or DPA offering is published for the consumer product. Conversations are collected and retained; even after opting out of training, data may still be used for other service improvements.
Is Character.AI safe to use with confidential or proprietary data?
It depends on your plan tier. Consumer (Free / c.ai+): Chat content is used to train and improve models by default; the documented opt-out applies only to EEA/UK accounts, leaving everyone else without a self-serve toggle. Always confirm current terms with Character.AI before sending confidential data — this is cited public information, not legal advice.
Sources
https://policies.character.ai/model-training
https://support.character.ai/hc/en-us/articles/39030432883099-Privacy-Policy
This page is cited public information, not legal or compliance advice. Whether Character.AI trains on your data, and any zero-retention or DPA option, can depend on your specific plan, region and contract. Always confirm current terms with Character.AI before sending confidential or proprietary data.