Provision record
OpenAI · OpenAI Terms of Use · View original document ↗

User Content License for Model Training

High severity Medium confidence Explicit document language Common · 288 of 352 platforms
Stay ahead of the changes
Track OpenAI and get the diff the day its terms change.
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Document Record

What it is

When you use ChatGPT or other OpenAI services, you give OpenAI permission to use what you type to improve its AI, unless you turn off this option in your 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)

The terms authorize OpenAI to use input content for model training by default, which means conversation data including any personal or sensitive information in prompts may be used for AI development unless users actively opt out.

Interpretive note: The exact license language could not be directly extracted from the corrupted PDF; the provision description reflects the known structure of OpenAI's publicly referenced Terms of Use as identified through the document metadata and annotation links.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
5
Months Monitored
May 12, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 4429 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision authorizes OpenAI to use the content users submit, including prompts and conversation data, to train and improve its AI models by default; users must affirmatively opt out through account settings to prevent this use.

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 in to your ChatGPT account, navigate to Settings, then Data Controls, and disable the option for 'Improve the model for everyone' to opt out of having your conversations used for model training.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

we may share data between our affiliates for the safety and security of our users and may take necessary actions if we believe you have violated these Terms, including banning you from our Services and/or our affiliates' services...

Skillshare Medium

Where you provide consent, we share your information as described at the time of consent, such as when authorizing a third-party application or website to access your Skillshare account...

Zoom Medium

Perplexity may process the following data if AI features are enabled: Customer Content and context

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
By using our Services, you grant OpenAI a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, distribute, and create derivative works from your content for the purpose of operating, improving, and developing our Services and models. You may opt out of having your content used to train our models by adjusting your account settings.

Excerpt from OpenAI's Terms of Use

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1.

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

BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Terms of Use
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011781
Document ID
CA-D-00009
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
6ae7df627f8ff0f0434212dde1986e4d1bfced272b18d29c3cea01e80cf3dbb0
Analysis generated
March 10, 2026 03:23 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-011781
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:23:22 UTC
SHA-256: 6ae7df627f8ff0f0…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-terms-of-use/provision/CA-P-011781/user-content-license-for-model-training/
Accessed: Aug. 12, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Related Analysis

Get the research letter

Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's User Content License for Model Training clause do?

The terms authorize OpenAI to use input content for model training by default, which means conversation data including any personal or sensitive information in prompts may be used for AI development unless users actively opt out.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision authorizes OpenAI to use the content users submit, including prompts and conversation data, to train and improve its AI models by default; users must affirmatively opt out through account settings to prevent this use.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 288 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.