Does ChatGPT Save Data? Yes. Here's How to Control It (2025)
As more of us engage daily with ChatGPT, privacy concerns about how our data is used are natural. You might be wondering:
- Does ChatGPT save what I type?
- Can I stop this? How?
- Is deletion really permanent?
- Does OpenAI sell or share my personal info?
In this guide, I’ll clearly answer all these critical ChatGPT privacy questions, step-by-step.
Quick Guide to ChatGPT Data & Privacy: Clear FAQs Answered
I understand you might want clear answers quickly, without navigating through lengthy documentation.
To save you valuable time, I’ve created a concise, easy-to-read FAQ table below.
Feel free to browse quickly through the table to find the answers you need immediately, or continue reading afterward for more detailed explanations.
Does ChatGPT Save Data?
✅ Yes, ChatGPT saves data by default, including prompts, uploads, account info, and technical details (such as IP address and device type) to improve its AI. OpenAI clearly states your data isn't sold or shared for advertising. You can disable data saving or permanently delete your data anytime through ChatGPT settings or OpenAI’s Privacy Portal.
What Data Does ChatGPT Save?
Before we get into the details of retention policies or training data, let’s start with the basics: what data does ChatGPT collect & save?
According to OpenAI’s Privacy Policy, the platform gathers various categories of Personal Data. So let’s break it down clearly:
1. Account Information
This includes your name, contact details, date of birth (for age verification in some regions), and payment details if you’re on a subscription plan.
2. User Content
The prompts you type, the code you paste, the images you upload, basically, the raw material that fuels the conversation. This user-generated content is also called “Content” in OpenAI’s Privacy Policy.
3. Communication Information
If you email the support team, post on a ChatGPT forum, or interact via social media channels, those messages could be stored for logging or future reference.
4. Technical Information
- Log Data: IP addresses, browser types, and timestamps.
- Usage Data: The type of content you engage with, how often you interact, your time zone, and even the device you’re using.
- Device Information: Operating system details, device identifiers, or other hardware markers.
- Location Information: General geolocation derived from your IP address.
5. Cookies and Similar Technologies
ChatGPT also uses cookies to remember your session preferences and maintain your login.
📊 A 2024 EU audit found that 63% of ChatGPT user data contained personally identifiable information (PII), with only 22% of users aware of disable settings. (Nightfall AI, 2025)
2 Ways to Control Your ChatGPT Data
You have two different approaches based on your goal:
- Temporary: Stop saving data for future conversations.
- Permanent: Completely remove all your data from OpenAI’s servers.
Let’s clearly distinguish each.
Option 1: Stop ChatGPT from Saving Data
If you just want future conversations not to be stored or used:
- Go to your ChatGPT Account → Settings → Data Controls
- Turn "Improve the model for everyone" to OFF.
✅ What happens:
- Future conversations are NOT saved or used for training AI models.
- Future chats won’t appear in your chat history.
How to Clear Chat History on ChatGPT?
If you don't want previous conversations to show up in your chat history, you can delete all past conversations in bulk.
- Go to your ChatGPT Account → Settings → General → Delete all chats
❌ Limitations: Your previous conversations remain stored unless you explicitly delete them permanently.
Official reference: OpenAI Data Controls FAQ
Option 2: Permanently Delete or Stop Processing Data
If your goal is full and permanent data removal, follow these steps:
1. Visit the OpenAI Privacy Portal
2. Click "Make a Privacy Request" and log in securely.
3. Choose request type:
- Delete My Data: Erases all data permanently.
- Stop Processing My Data: Stops OpenAI from using your data for training forever.
- Alternative: Send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] to request deletion.
✅ Benefits: This is the only reliable way to fully and permanently erase your data from OpenAI’s systems.
Official reference: OpenAI Privacy Portal
How to Export Your ChatGPT Data Before Permanently Deleting It?
If your intention is to completely remove your ChatGPT data, you might also want to first export a copy to keep for your records before permanent deletion.
Here's exactly what you should do (step-by-step):
- Log into your ChatGPT account.
- Navigate to: Settings → Data Controls → Manage My Data.
- Click on "Export" or "Download my data."
- You'll receive an email notification when your export file is ready, typically within a few days.
🔗 Reference: How do I export my ChatGPT history and data?
Does ChatGPT Sell My Data to Anyone?
Based on my review of OpenAI’s official policies and third-party analyses, ChatGPT does not directly sell user data to advertisers. Instead, it collects data mainly for:
- Improving AI Models: The prompts and feedback you provide help refine ChatGPT’s capabilities.
- Platform Functionality: Payment processing, authentication, and analytics fall under this category. OpenAI also invests in cybersecurity measures to reduce fraud or misuse of its Services.
- Service Enhancements: ChatGPT occasionally rolls out new features, such as memory management, that rely on usage stats gathered from user interactions.
So, what’s the confusion about data selling?
According to OpenAI’s Privacy Policy, the platform gathers various categories of Personal Data. So let’s break it down clearly:
🝔 Advertiser Partnerships vs. Data Sharing
Some are concerned that ChatGPT may function like social media platforms that often share user behavior with advertisers.
However, there is no evidence or policy statement that ChatGPT sells chat recordings or personal user data to third-party marketers.
While user interactions can help train artificial intelligence, there is no direct market for your specific conversation transcripts.
🝔 Third-Party Services and Integrations
If you’re using ChatGPT plugins or bridging ChatGPT with external software, your data might pass through third-party APIs.
According to the OpenAI Privacy Portal, any data shared with these third parties is governed by separate terms and conditions.
This means that while OpenAI might not sell your data, a connected service could have different rules if you opt-in.
ChatGPT Privacy Concerns? Consider a Custom AI Chatbot Alternative
If privacy and data security are top-of-mind, custom AI chatbots like LiveChatAI can offer greater peace of mind.
Here’s why choosing a custom ChatGPT built specifically for your business is more sensible:
🔐 Full Data Ownership: You control what data is stored, where it's hosted, and who can access it, keeping sensitive information secure and confidential.
✅ Easy Compliance: Quickly meet privacy regulations (GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA) with customizable policies designed specifically around your industry requirements.
🎯 Industry-Specific Accuracy: Customize your AI to understand your business terms, products, and specific customer scenarios, ensuring more precise, relevant responses.
⚙️ Seamless Integration: Easily integrate LiveChatAI into your existing CRM and workflows, enhancing productivity without sacrificing privacy.
👀 Transparent Operations: Clearly understand exactly how your data is used, removing uncertainty around third-party sharing or unclear retention policies.
AI chatbot solutions like LiveChatAI ensure you gain all the benefits of AI technology, without compromising on privacy or control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can OpenAI Employees Read My Conversations?
Potentially, yes, if you've enabled data sharing. OpenAI mentions in their FAQs that human reviewers may occasionally view conversations to improve model quality. If this concerns you, simply turn off "Improve the model for everyone" or submit a "Stop Processing My Data" request. (Official reference: OpenAI Data Controls FAQ)
How Does OpenAI Use My Personal Data?
When you interact with ChatGPT, OpenAI may collect certain data to help improve their AI models. This includes things you type, such as your prompts and questions.
But don’t worry, OpenAI doesn’t sell your data to advertisers or other third parties. They also don't create personal profiles or use your data for targeted advertising.
The main reason they collect conversation data is to make ChatGPT better for you and other users. Your conversations help ChatGPT learn, understand context, and respond more naturally and accurately over time.
However, you always have control. If you prefer not to have your conversations used for training, you can simply turn off the "Improve the model for everyone" setting. Once disabled, your new conversations won’t be used to train or improve the AI models.
In short, your data mainly helps OpenAI build a smarter, more helpful ChatGPT, nothing else.
(Official reference (for transparency): OpenAI Data Controls FAQ)
Is ChatGPT GDPR-Compliant?
Yes, OpenAI explicitly mentions GDPR compliance in its Privacy Policy. It provides clear methods to manage, request, and delete your data in line with GDPR regulations. (Official reference: OpenAI Privacy Policy – GDPR Section)
Does ChatGPT Delete My Data if I Delete My Account?
Deleting your ChatGPT account triggers a permanent deletion process for your personal data stored by OpenAI. After you request account deletion through the OpenAI Privacy Portal, OpenAI will remove your account details and associated conversation data permanently from their systems. Note this is irreversible. (Reference: OpenAI Data Controls FAQ)
What is ChatGPT's "Memory" Feature & How Does it Affect My Data?
ChatGPT’s "Memory" feature allows the chatbot to remember certain details and preferences from your current conversation to provide more relevant responses as you chat. However, this memory is temporary and only lasts for the duration of a single conversation. Once your session ends or the conversation is closed, ChatGPT forgets these details.
ChatGPT currently does not retain persistent memory between separate conversations or sessions. OpenAI may introduce longer-term memory in future updates, but they state clearly they'll notify users first and offer control settings to manage data privacy and retention. (Reference: ChatGPT Memory Explained - OpenAI Official)
What Happens if There’s a Data Breach at OpenAI?
If OpenAI experiences a data breach that might compromise your personal data, they state in their Privacy Policy that they'll notify affected users promptly. They’re legally obligated to inform users about any breaches under privacy regulations like GDPR, outlining clearly what data may have been affected and steps users can take to secure their information.
(Reference: OpenAI Privacy Policy (Data Breach Notification)
Conclusion: Take Control of Your ChatGPT Data & Privacy
I know data privacy can feel complicated, especially when dealing with powerful AI tools like ChatGPT. Hopefully, this guide has clearly answered your biggest questions and given you a solid understanding of exactly how OpenAI handles your data.
If total control over privacy is crucial for your business, exploring custom AI chatbots like LiveChatAI can provide greater flexibility, ownership, and peace of mind.
Check out these blog posts as well:
