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Turning off Improve the model for everyone stops new conversations on an eligible personal ChatGPT account from being used to train OpenAI models. It does not delete, hide, or remove saved chats from your history. The setting controls model improvement—not all data handling, personalization, or retention.
What does the training toggle actually change?
For a signed-in personal account, go to Settings → Data controls → Improve the model for everyone and switch it off. OpenAI says new conversations after opting out will not be used to train its models, and the preference applies across devices when you are signed in. The available controls can vary with your account, plan, or workspace restrictions. OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ
This is a forward-looking setting: the guidance describes how new conversations are handled after you opt out. It does not establish that earlier conversations are removed from training data or that an already trained model is changed.
Does turning off model training delete or hide chats?
No. Saved conversations remain in their existing locations, including regular, archived, and project chats, unless you delete them or a workspace policy affects them. The opt-out is not a deletion control. OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ
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To remove a saved chat
Delete the conversation separately. OpenAI says it disappears from your account view immediately and is scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days, subject to exceptions: data already de-identified or disassociated from your account, or data retained for security or legal obligations. A file saved separately in Library may also need to be deleted there. OpenAI’s chat deletion guidance
What does Temporary Chat do differently?
Temporary Chat is a separate mode for a conversation you do not want in chat history or used to improve models. While the chat remains temporary, it does not create or update memories. OpenAI may retain a copy for up to 30 days for safety purposes, so “temporary” does not mean zero retention. If you save the conversation, it becomes a regular chat governed by the account’s personalization and model-improvement settings. OpenAI’s Temporary Chat FAQ
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A Temporary Chat can still use existing memories, custom instructions, and plugins if those are selected before the conversation begins. If a GPT action sends information to an outside service, that recipient’s privacy policy applies to the information it receives. OpenAI’s Temporary Chat FAQ
Can feedback still be used for training?
Yes. OpenAI says that if you submit thumbs-up or thumbs-down feedback after opting out, the entire conversation associated with that feedback may be used to train its models. If you want to avoid that possibility, do not submit feedback on a conversation you want excluded. OpenAI’s explanation of how data is used to improve model performance
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Is Memory the same as model training?
No. Memory and personalization affect how ChatGPT can tailor responses using information associated with your account; model training concerns whether conversations are used to improve OpenAI models. Turning Memory or personalization off does not, by itself, opt you out of model training. Conversely, switching off model improvement does not itself turn off Memory. OpenAI also notes that turning off Memory does not disable every safety feature that may use limited context in rare high-risk cases. OpenAI’s Memory FAQ
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if you use a work or school account?
Do not assume personal-account settings or policies apply. OpenAI says content from ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Edu, and ChatGPT for Healthcare workspaces is not used to train models by default; its data-use guidance also names the API Platform. Workspace administrators may control available settings, retention, access, and review. Ask the workspace owner or administrator how your organization has configured its account. OpenAI’s data-use guidance · OpenAI’s Data Controls FAQ
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Which control fits your goal?
| Your goal | Use this control | What it does | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep history but stop new personal chats being used for model training | Settings → Data controls → Improve the model for everyone off | Stops new conversations on an eligible signed-in personal account from being used to train OpenAI models; applies across devices when signed in. | Does not remove chats from history or delete content. Source |
| Keep a conversation out of history and model improvement | Start a Temporary Chat | Keeps it out of history, prevents memory creation or updates while temporary, and excludes it from model improvement. | Does not promise zero retention; a copy may be kept for up to 30 days for safety. Source |
| Remove a saved chat | Delete the chat | Removes it from account view immediately and schedules permanent deletion within 30 days, subject to stated exceptions. | Does not necessarily delete a separately stored Library file. Source |
| Avoid Memory-based personalization | Memory or personalization controls; use an unpersonalized Temporary Chat when appropriate | Changes personalization behavior. | Does not itself govern model training or disable all safety processing. Source |
| Manage a work account | Workspace settings and organization owner or administrator | Organization policies can affect controls, retention, and review. | Personal-account assumptions may not apply. Source |
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