OpenAI · OpenAI Terms of Use

Model Training Data Use (Opt-Out Default)

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What it is

We may use Content to develop and improve our Services... You can opt out of having your Content used to improve model performance by following the instructions in our Help Center article.

Why it matters

This is the single most significant data practice in the document — it means every conversation you have with ChatGPT may be used to make the AI better, including any personal or sensitive information you share, and you have to actively opt out rather than opt in.

Consumer impact

OpenAI's Terms of Use affect consumers primarily through the default permission for OpenAI to use conversation data — including prompts and AI outputs — to improve its AI models, which means sensitive or personal information shared with ChatGPT may be retained and analyzed beyond the immediate session. Minors under 13 are prohibited from using the services, and those aged 13–17 require verifiable parental consent, but the adequacy of age verification mechanisms is not detailed in the terms themselves. You can opt out of having your conversations used for model training by navigating to your ChatGPT account settings and disabling the 'Improve the model for everyone' toggle.

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 ChatGPT, click your profile icon, select Settings, navigate to Data Controls, and toggle off 'Improve the model for everyone'. This prevents future conversations from being used for model training.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The opt-out default for model training data use may constitute an unfair or deceptive practice under FTC Act Section 5 if users are not adequately informed of this data use at the point of service onboarding.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Terms of Use
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-001996
Document ID
CA-D-00009
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
6ae7df627f8ff0f0434212dde1986e4d1bfced272b18d29c3cea01e80cf3dbb0
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: OpenAI | Document: OpenAI Terms of Use | Record: CA-P-001996
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:23:22 UTC | SHA-256: 6ae7df627f8ff0f0…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-terms-of-use/model-training-data-use-opt-out-default/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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