Provision record
OpenAI · OpenAI Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

AI Model Training Using User Content

Medium severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 217 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

The policy authorizes OpenAI to use content submitted by users, including prompts and uploaded files, to train the AI models that power ChatGPT and other services, subject to an opt-out that users can exercise through account settings.

This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

This provision establishes that user content submitted during normal use of ChatGPT is available for AI model training by default. The policy notes that content already de-identified and disassociated from an account prior to a deletion request may not be removed from training datasets, which is a material limitation on the practical scope of the deletion right in this context.

Interpretive note: The practical scope of the opt-out (specifically which content is excluded and whether previously processed content is affected) is not fully specified in the document, and the enforceability of the de-identification carve-out under various state privacy laws may vary.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 12, 2026

The updated policy explicitly discloses that OpenAI receives information from advertisers and other data partners for Free and Go users, and uses this data to personalize ads and measure ad effectiveness. The policy now states that Free and Go users can control what data OpenAI uses to personalize ads through advertising controls in account settings. This represents clarified disclosure of an existing practice rather than a new authorization.

View change record →
Medium Jun 7, 2026

The updated privacy policy now explicitly states that OpenAI receives information from advertisers and other data partners, which is used to personalize ads shown to Free and Go users and to measure the effectiveness of those ads. For example, the policy notes that OpenAI could receive information about purchases users make from advertisers. The policy now includes a dedicated section on ad personalization and measurement as a primary use of personal data for these user tiers. You can manage what data OpenAI uses for ad personalization by accessing the advertising controls in your account settings or by using the Data Controls option.

View change record →
Medium May 1, 2026

The updated policy now explicitly authorizes OpenAI to promote products and services to users through direct marketing on third-party properties and to share limited information with select marketing partners (who are not service providers) to support these efforts. The policy states that some marketing partners may receive information through cookies and similar technologies. The revised terms establish that these marketing practices are subject to user choices and controls, with additional information and opt-out options available. You can make choices about the use of your information for third-party product promotion purposes through controls referenced in the policy.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
6
Months Monitored
May 10, 2026
First Seen
Jul 9, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 922 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this clause, prompts and other content submitted to ChatGPT are used to train OpenAI's models unless the user actively opts out. The agreement specifies that content already de-identified before a deletion request is made may remain in training data even after the account deletion is processed.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Log into your OpenAI account, navigate to account data controls settings, and disable the option allowing your content to be used for model training. Alternatively, visit privacy.openai.com to submit a preference change.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

This is still Your Content, and you are responsible for it and its accuracy, as well as your use of it on our Services and any and all decisions made, actions taken, and failures to take action based on Your Content.

Instacart Medium

You are responsible for any content, data, or instructions submitted to the Services via any Automated System. Instacart's license to use user content...includes content submitted by or through Automated Systems...

Chegg Medium

If you use a feature of our Services that is integrated with, facilitated by, or otherwise assisted by artificial intelligence...your inputs are "User Content" and the outputs of that service are "Chegg Content"...

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
As noted above, we may use Content you provide us to improve our Services, for example to train the models that power ChatGPT. Read our instructions on how you can opt out of our use of your Content to train our models.

Excerpt from OpenAI's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages CCPA and CPRA (California), which govern use of personal information for purposes beyond the primary transaction and may require disclosure and opt-out rights for secondary uses.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
California AB 2013 AI Training Data Transparency
US-CA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
GDPR
European Union
Texas AI Act
Texas, USA
Trump Executive Order on AI Policy Framework
US
UK GDPR
United Kingdom

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Privacy Policy
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-009765
Document ID
CA-D-00010
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
c0c49f013e1bb2dd1fa883d161d2b79a60a5914fddbd230bcaa0df5e2cfaa86e
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 03:28 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-009765
Captured: 2026-07-09 03:28:49 UTC
SHA-256: c0c49f013e1bb2dd…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-009765/ai-model-training-using-user-content/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's AI Model Training Using User Content clause do?

This provision establishes that user content submitted during normal use of ChatGPT is available for AI model training by default. The policy notes that content already de-identified and disassociated from an account prior to a deletion request may not be removed from training datasets, which is a material limitation on the practical scope of the deletion right in this context.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this clause, prompts and other content submitted to ChatGPT are used to train OpenAI's models unless the user actively opts out. The agreement specifies that content already de-identified before a deletion request is made may remain in training data even after the account deletion is processed.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 217 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.