Does Descript train on your data?
Descript · AI audio / video editor · official site ↗
Doesn’t train on your dataZDR / DPA on enterpriseOpt-out available
Does Descript train its models on your data?
No — Descript does not use your content to train its AI models by default.
Descript's production AI models use no user data; in-house R&D training only uses data from users who opt in via the 'Share Data with Descript' setting, and sub-processors like OpenAI are contractually barred from training on your content.
Can you opt out?
Descript may use your Projects to analyze and improve the service, but you can disable the 'Share Data with Descript' setting (prompted during onboarding, changeable later) so your projects are not used for improvement. Production AI models already use no user data; only opted-in data feeds internal R&D models. Custom Voice creation is separately opt-in and requires recorded speaker consent.
Zero retention / DPA
Descript is SOC 2 aligned (GDPR/CCPA, AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2 in transit) and offers business terms / DPA for enterprise. Sub-processors (e.g. OpenAI) are contractually prohibited from training on customer data. Deleted projects are purged within 30 days; account deletion removes all associated data. No public per-request zero-retention toggle. DPA ↗
What the listicles get wrong
Descript's 'we don't train on your content' claim holds for production models by default; the only training path is opt-in via 'Share Data with Descript' for R&D, plus consent-gated Custom Voice. Sub-processors are contractually barred from training. DPA URL inferred from Descript's standard legal path — confidence high on the training stance, medium on exact DPA slug.
Verdict by plan tier
All plans (Free / Hobbyist / Creator / Business)Opt-in onlyProduction models use no user data; only data from users who enable 'Share Data with Descript' feeds internal R&D training — opt-in, off otherwise.
Custom Voice / AI VoicesOpt-in onlyCreating a Custom Voice is optional and requires explicit Consenting Speaker statements; training audio is disassociated from your account before use in research datasets.
Get notified when this changes
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Frequently asked questions
Does Descript train its AI models on my data?
No — Descript does not use your content to train its AI models by default. Descript's production AI models use no user data; in-house R&D training only uses data from users who opt in via the 'Share Data with Descript' setting, and sub-processors like OpenAI are contractually barred from training on your content.
Can I opt out of Descript training on my data?
Descript may use your Projects to analyze and improve the service, but you can disable the 'Share Data with Descript' setting (prompted during onboarding, changeable later) so your projects are not used for improvement. Production AI models already use no user data; only opted-in data feeds internal R&D models. Custom Voice creation is separately opt-in and requires recorded speaker consent.
Does Descript offer zero data retention (ZDR) or a DPA?
Descript is SOC 2 aligned (GDPR/CCPA, AES-256 at rest, TLS 1.2 in transit) and offers business terms / DPA for enterprise. Sub-processors (e.g. OpenAI) are contractually prohibited from training on customer data. Deleted projects are purged within 30 days; account deletion removes all associated data. No public per-request zero-retention toggle.
Is Descript safe to use with confidential or proprietary data?
It depends on your plan tier. All plans (Free / Hobbyist / Creator / Business): Production models use no user data; only data from users who enable 'Share Data with Descript' feeds internal R&D training — opt-in, off otherwise. Custom Voice / AI Voices: Creating a Custom Voice is optional and requires explicit Consenting Speaker statements; training audio is disassociated from your account before use in research datasets. Always confirm current terms with Descript before sending confidential data — this is cited public information, not legal advice.
Sources
https://www.descript.com/privacy
https://help.descript.com/hc/en-us/articles/10255866490125-Account-data-and-privacy
https://www.descript.com/security
This page is cited public information, not legal or compliance advice. Whether Descript 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 Descript before sending confidential or proprietary data.