Does Otter.ai train on your data?
Otter.ai · Meeting transcription AI · official site ↗
Trains by defaultRetention not documentedOpt-out available
Does Otter.ai train its models on your data?
Yes — Otter.ai trains on your data by default; you have to opt out.
Otter.ai's privacy policy says it trains its AI on de-identified recordings and transcripts, with training on by default; an August 2025 class-action complaint alleges it records and trains without consent from non-users.
Can you opt out?
Account owners can disable Otter's use of de-identified conversations for training in privacy settings, but the default is on, and non-users/guests captured in a meeting cannot opt out at the point of recording (a central allegation in the lawsuit).
Zero retention / DPA
Otter's policy says it retains personal information "as long as necessary," which the class-action complaint characterizes as effectively indefinite. No public zero-retention product is documented; enterprise customers should request a DPA and explicit retention terms directly.
What the listicles get wrong
Contested and litigated: the August 2025 class action (Brewer v. Otter.ai, N.D. Cal.) is in discovery as of 2026. De-identification is self-described with no public technical guarantee. Treat as the high-risk end of the set.
Verdict by plan tier
Basic / Pro / BusinessTrains unless you opt outTrains on de-identified recordings and transcripts by default; opt out in privacy settings. Retention stated as "as long as necessary."
Non-users / meeting guestsTrains on your dataAllegedly recorded and included in training without consent or an opt-out at the moment of capture (subject of the 2025 class action).
EnterpriseNot documentedDPA and retention terms not publicly documented; confirm directly with Otter before recording confidential meetings.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Otter.ai train its AI models on my data?
Yes — Otter.ai trains on your data by default; you have to opt out. Otter.ai's privacy policy says it trains its AI on de-identified recordings and transcripts, with training on by default; an August 2025 class-action complaint alleges it records and trains without consent from non-users.
Can I opt out of Otter.ai training on my data?
Account owners can disable Otter's use of de-identified conversations for training in privacy settings, but the default is on, and non-users/guests captured in a meeting cannot opt out at the point of recording (a central allegation in the lawsuit).
Does Otter.ai offer zero data retention (ZDR) or a DPA?
Otter's policy says it retains personal information "as long as necessary," which the class-action complaint characterizes as effectively indefinite. No public zero-retention product is documented; enterprise customers should request a DPA and explicit retention terms directly.
Is Otter.ai safe to use with confidential or proprietary data?
It depends on your plan tier. Basic / Pro / Business: Trains on de-identified recordings and transcripts by default; opt out in privacy settings. Retention stated as "as long as necessary." Non-users / meeting guests: Allegedly recorded and included in training without consent or an opt-out at the moment of capture (subject of the 2025 class action). Enterprise: DPA and retention terms not publicly documented; confirm directly with Otter before recording confidential meetings. Always confirm current terms with Otter.ai before sending confidential data — this is cited public information, not legal advice.
Sources
https://www.npr.org/2025/08/15/g-s1-83087/otter-ai-transcription-class-action-lawsuit
https://natlawreview.com/article/ai-notetaking-tools-under-fire-lessons-otterai-class-action-complaint
https://otter.ai/privacy-policy
This page is cited public information, not legal or compliance advice. Whether Otter.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 Otter.ai before sending confidential or proprietary data.