# Data controls

> The settings that decide what happens to your chats: whether they may be used to improve OpenAI's models, and how your history is kept.

**Category:** ChatGPT

**Data controls are where you decide what ChatGPT does with your conversations.** The best-known switch is **"Improve the model for everyone"**: on personal plans (Free, Go, Plus, Pro) it is on by default, which means your chats may be used for training. You can turn it off.

On [ChatGPT Business](/glossary#chatgpt-business) and Enterprise, workspace data is **not used for training by default**, and admins set the rules. Data controls also cover your chat history and exporting or deleting your data.

## At work

On a personal account you also use for work? Open Settings, Data controls, and switch training off before you share anything sensitive. Better still: use the work account.

## Often confused with

Memory. Data controls decide whether OpenAI may learn from your chats; [memory](/glossary#chatgpt-memory) decides what ChatGPT remembers about you.

## Related terms

- ChatGPT Business
- Memory (ChatGPT)
- Temporary Chat

## See it in a lesson

[Which ChatGPT plan?](/en/learn/chatgpt/getting-started/which-chatgpt-plan)

## Further reading

- [Data controls in ChatGPT](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/7730893-data-controls-in-chatgpt): The official guide to every data setting.
- [ChatGPT Business: General FAQ](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8542115-chatgpt-business-general-faq): How workspace data is handled on Business.
- [Memory in ChatGPT](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8590148-memory-faq): The separate settings for what ChatGPT remembers.

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Last updated: 14/10/2026  
Source: Rollo Academy glossary