Is ChatGPT Safe for Your Privacy? What to Check

Your grandson uses it. Your neighbour swears by it. But before you type anything personal into ChatGPT, there's one question worth asking: where does what I write actually go?

It's a fair question, and the answer is more manageable than most people expect. Let's go through it properly.

What does OpenAI store?

When you use ChatGPT, OpenAI (the company that makes it) receives and stores the conversations you have. By default, this includes everything you type and everything ChatGPT replies with.

OpenAI says they use this data in two main ways: to improve their AI models, and to keep an eye out for misuse of the service.

How long do they keep it? OpenAI's current policy states they retain conversation data for up to 30 days for safety review purposes, even if you delete your chat history. The conversations you can see in the sidebar are stored until you delete them or close your account.

None of this is hidden. OpenAI publishes their privacy policy and it's worth a look if you're curious about the detail.

Does OpenAI use my chats to train its AI?

By default, yes. If you have a free ChatGPT account, your conversations may be used to improve future versions of the AI.

However, you can opt out. OpenAI gives you a clear setting to turn this off. Here's how.

Step 1. Log into ChatGPT at chat.openai.com.

Step 2. Click your name or profile icon in the bottom left corner.

Step 3. Click "Settings".

Step 4. Click "Data controls".

Step 5. You'll see a toggle labelled "Improve the model for everyone". Switch it off if you'd prefer your conversations not to be used for training.

Once this is off, OpenAI states that your new conversations won't be used for training. Conversations you had before changing the setting may already have been processed.

How to delete your chat history

Your previous conversations appear in the left-hand sidebar. You can delete individual chats by hovering over them and clicking the delete icon. To clear everything at once:

Step 1. Go to Settings.

Step 2. Click "Data controls".

Step 3. Click "Delete all chats" and confirm.

This removes the conversations from your view and from OpenAI's active storage. As mentioned, there may be a short period where copies exist for safety review.

Our guide to deleting your ChatGPT history has more detail on this.

Temporary chat: a useful option

ChatGPT has a feature called "Temporary chat". When you start one, the conversation isn't saved to your history and (according to OpenAI) won't be used for training.

It's a good option for conversations you'd rather not keep on record. Look for the pencil/new chat icon at the top of the page, and you'll often see a "Temporary chat" option there.

What should you never type into ChatGPT?

This is the part that matters most in day-to-day use.

Do not type in:

• Passwords or PINs
• Your full name combined with your address and date of birth
• Bank account numbers or sort codes
• National Insurance numbers
• Passport or driving licence details
• Medical record information that identifies you specifically

These aren't things you need to share for ChatGPT to be useful. You can ask it about health topics without naming yourself. You can ask about financial planning without giving your account details. Strip out the personal identifiers before you type.

Our guide on what not to tell ChatGPT goes into more detail on this.

Is ChatGPT connected to the internet?

The free version of ChatGPT is not always connected to the internet. Its knowledge comes from training data with a cut-off date, which means it may not know about things that happened recently.

ChatGPT Plus (the paid version) can search the web. So can some other AI tools like Perplexity AI. This doesn't change the privacy rules above, but it's worth knowing if you're asking about current events.

Is ChatGPT safe for health questions?

It's useful for understanding medical terms, conditions, or what questions to ask your GP. It's not safe to use as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Don't rely on ChatGPT for diagnosis or treatment decisions. And if you do ask it health questions, you don't need to include your full name, NHS number, or specific medication details. General questions get useful general answers.

ChatGPT vs. a search engine: a privacy difference

When you search Google, Google records what you searched for. When you use ChatGPT, OpenAI records the full conversation, including everything you wrote.

That's a more detailed record. Which is why the habits above matter: keep your ChatGPT conversations general, and use specific personal details only when necessary and with trusted services.

The ChatGPT app on your phone

The official ChatGPT app (available on iPhone and Android) follows the same privacy settings as the website. Make sure you're downloading from Apple's App Store or Google Play, and check you're getting the genuine OpenAI app rather than an imitation.

There are a number of fake or unofficial AI chat apps that look similar but aren't made by OpenAI. Stick to the official one to be safe.

Is it actually safe to use?

For everyday questions, yes. Asking ChatGPT for recipe ideas, help writing a card, an explanation of something in the news, or ideas for a day out carries very little risk.

The risk comes from treating it like a private, encrypted service. It isn't. Think of it more like writing something down that could be read later, and behave accordingly.

Check your settings, turn off training data if you prefer, use Temporary chat for sensitive topics, and stick to general information rather than personal details. Those four habits cover most of the ground.

Helpful links for beginners

• Staying safe with AI A fuller guide to protecting yourself when using AI tools.
• What not to tell ChatGPT
• How to delete your ChatGPT history
• Is AI listening to me?
• How to use ChatGPT A beginner's guide to getting started.
• Glossary of AI terms
• OpenAI Privacy Policy What OpenAI stores and how they use your data.
• ICO guidance on ChatGPT The UK's data regulator explains your rights.

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