How to make your ChatGPT data private

Your ChatGPT data isn't as private as you think.

Ever had that slightly creepy feeling that your ChatGPT conversations are being used to train the model? You're not alone. By default, OpenAI may use your data to improve their systems.

But you can opt out. Here’s how to ensure your chats with ChatGPT stay private, especially if you're using a Google account to log in.

The 30-Second Fix: Disable Chat History & Training

This is the most important step. Turning this off means your new conversations won't be used to train OpenAI's models and will be retained for 30 days before being permanently deleted (for abuse monitoring). After that, they're gone for good.

How to do it:

1. Log into your ChatGPT account at chat.openai.com.

2. Click on your profile name in the bottom-left corner.

3. Select Settings & Beta from the menu.

4. Go to the Data controls tab.

5. Toggle off Chat History & Training.

Heads up: When this is off, you will lose access to your past conversation history, and you won't be able to see new chats later. It's a trade-off for absolute privacy.

What Google Privacy Mode (Incognito) DOES Protect

It protects your privacy locally on your device and from other users of your computer.

What About Your Browser History in ChatGPT?

Third-party apps: If you log in to ChatGPT through Google, ChatGPT will have access to your search history and Google will collect data from your Google interactions.

Your ChatGPT visit won't appear in your Chrome browser history in incognito mode.

Cookies & Login Session: When you close the Incognito window, you are logged out of ChatGPT. The session cookie is deleted, so someone with physical access to your computer won't see you were logged in.

Local Trace: It leaves no trace of your activity on that specific browser.

What It Does NOT Protect

It does nothing to protect your data from the services you are using.

How to disable ChatGPT history From OpenAI

OpenAI still sees your conversations, your account activity, and your IP address. Unless you have disabled "Chat History & Training," OpenAI may still use your conversations to train their models.

From Your Network: Your internet service provider (ISP), your employer (on a work network), or your school (on a school network) can still see that you are accessing ChatGPT.

Disabling Chat History & Training in your ChatGPT settings is the primary action that controls what OpenAI does with your data.

Using Incognito Mode is a supplementary action that controls what your local browser and computer do with your data.

Pro Tip: Consider Your Google Account Security

While you're thinking about privacy, take a minute to check your connected apps.

1. Go to your Google Account Security settings.

2. Review "Third-party apps with account access."

3. You'll see "OpenAI" listed. You can view the permissions or remove access if needed.

The Bottom Line

Disabling Chat History & Training is the single most effective way to stop OpenAI from using your data for model improvement. For sensitive topics, combine it with an Incognito window for a clean, trace-free session.

Even better advice- Don't share personal information with ChatGPT or any online AI service, especially if you use Google email addresses to log on to these platforms.

Stay secure.

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