OpenAI · Terms of Use (ROW)

User Content License for AI Model Training

High severity
Share 𝕏 Share in Share

What it is

We may use Content to train and improve our models and Services, subject to the restrictions in our Privacy Policy and, where applicable, our Business Terms. You can turn off this feature in your settings.

Why it matters

Your personal conversations, creative work, and other inputs could be used to shape future AI model behavior at a massive scale, raising significant privacy and intellectual property concerns, particularly for sensitive or confidential information you share.

Consumer impact

OpenAI's Terms of Use give the company a broad license to use content you submit — including your conversations with ChatGPT — to train and improve its AI models, which means your personal inputs could influence future AI behavior at scale. The mandatory arbitration clause and class action waiver significantly limit your ability to seek collective legal remedies if something goes wrong, a provision that may surprise many everyday users. You can opt out of having your data used for model training by going to Settings > Data Controls in your ChatGPT account and disabling 'Improve the model for everyone.'

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, go to Settings, select 'Data Controls', and toggle off 'Improve the model for everyone' to stop your conversations from being used for AI training.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has authority to investigate OpenAI's data collection and AI training practices as potentially unfair or deceptive under FTC Act Section 5, and has previously opened an investigation into OpenAI's data practices.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    California's Privacy Protection Agency and other State AGs have authority to enforce CCPA opt-out rights and state privacy laws related to the use of personal data for AI training purposes.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
Terms of Use (ROW)
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
April 4, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-001990
Document ID
CA-D-00007
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
3a064f11bc2cb0f491e5ad76938f2712026c1d020c9f8b50528f8c7b639a4f7f
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: OpenAI | Document: Terms of Use (ROW) | Record: CA-P-001990
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:31:52 UTC | SHA-256: 3a064f11bc2cb0f4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/terms-of-use-row/user-content-license-for-ai-model-training/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other provisions in this document