Does ChatGPT train on your data?
OpenAI · AI chat assistant · official site ↗
Depends on your planZDR / DPA on enterpriseOpt-out available
Does ChatGPT train its models on your data?
It depends — ChatGPT trains on consumer/free-tier data by default but excludes business, enterprise and API tiers.
OpenAI trains on consumer ChatGPT (Free, Plus, Pro) conversations by default unless you switch it off, but does not train on ChatGPT Team, Enterprise, Edu or the API by default.
Can you opt out?
On consumer plans, turn off Settings → Data Controls → "Improve the model for everyone" (you can keep chat history on while training is off). Team, Enterprise, Edu and API accounts are excluded from training by default, so there is nothing to toggle.
Zero retention / DPA
API and business plans carry a Data Processing Addendum (DPA) and do not train on your data. API inputs/outputs are retained up to 30 days for abuse monitoring, and eligible enterprise customers can request Zero Data Retention (ZDR) on approved endpoints so nothing is stored. DPA ↗
What the listicles get wrong
The split is the trap content farms miss: consumer ChatGPT trains by default, but Team/Enterprise/API do not. ZDR is gated behind enterprise sales, not self-serve.
Verdict by plan tier
Free / Plus / Pro (consumer)Trains unless you opt outTrains on your chats by default; opt out under Data Controls. Conversations are retained until you delete them, then purged within 30 days.
Team / Enterprise / EduNo trainingNot used to train models by default; covered by a DPA with business privacy terms.
API platformNo trainingNot trained on by default. ~30-day abuse-monitoring retention; Zero Data Retention available to eligible enterprise customers on approved endpoints.
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Frequently asked questions
Does ChatGPT train its AI models on my data?
It depends — ChatGPT trains on consumer/free-tier data by default but excludes business, enterprise and API tiers. OpenAI trains on consumer ChatGPT (Free, Plus, Pro) conversations by default unless you switch it off, but does not train on ChatGPT Team, Enterprise, Edu or the API by default.
Can I opt out of ChatGPT training on my data?
On consumer plans, turn off Settings → Data Controls → "Improve the model for everyone" (you can keep chat history on while training is off). Team, Enterprise, Edu and API accounts are excluded from training by default, so there is nothing to toggle.
Does ChatGPT offer zero data retention (ZDR) or a DPA?
API and business plans carry a Data Processing Addendum (DPA) and do not train on your data. API inputs/outputs are retained up to 30 days for abuse monitoring, and eligible enterprise customers can request Zero Data Retention (ZDR) on approved endpoints so nothing is stored.
Is ChatGPT safe to use with confidential or proprietary data?
It depends on your plan tier. Free / Plus / Pro (consumer): Trains on your chats by default; opt out under Data Controls. Conversations are retained until you delete them, then purged within 30 days. Team / Enterprise / Edu: Not used to train models by default; covered by a DPA with business privacy terms. API platform: Not trained on by default. ~30-day abuse-monitoring retention; Zero Data Retention available to eligible enterprise customers on approved endpoints. Always confirm current terms with OpenAI before sending confidential data — this is cited public information, not legal advice.
Sources
https://openai.com/enterprise-privacy/
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/5722486-how-your-data-is-used-to-improve-model-performance
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8983130-what-if-i-want-to-keep-my-history-on-but-disable-model-training
This page is cited public information, not legal or compliance advice. Whether ChatGPT 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 OpenAI before sending confidential or proprietary data.