Privacy Basics

Before you share anything with ChatGPT, it's important to understand how your data is handled. This lesson explains the privacy considerations in plain language so you can make informed choices.

What Happens to Your Conversations?

When you chat with ChatGPT, your messages are:

1. Sent to OpenAI's servers - That's where ChatGPT actually runs
2. Used to generate responses - Your message is processed to create an answer
3. Potentially stored - By default, conversations may be saved

Default Behavior

By default, OpenAI may:

• Save your conversations
• Use your chats to improve future AI models
• Have employees review conversations for safety

This helps OpenAI improve ChatGPT, but it means your conversations are not completely private.

Your Privacy Controls

OpenAI provides several privacy controls:

Chat History Setting

You can turn off chat history:

1. Click your profile icon
2. Go to Settings
3. Find "Data controls"
4. Toggle off "Chat history & training"

When turned off:

• New conversations won't appear in your sidebar
• Conversations won't be used for training
• Chats are automatically deleted after 30 days

Trade-off: You lose the convenience of chat history.

Data Export

You can request a copy of your data:

1. Go to Settings > Data controls
2. Click "Export data"
3. You'll receive an email with your data

Account Deletion

If you want to delete everything:

1. Go to Settings
2. Find "Delete account"
3. All your data will be permanently removed

What Should You Never Share?

Some information should never be typed into ChatGPT:

Absolutely Never Share:

Category	Examples
Passwords & credentials	Passwords, API keys, security codes
Financial account info	Bank account numbers, credit card numbers
Government IDs	Social Security numbers, passport numbers
Medical records	Detailed health information, patient data
Confidential business data	Trade secrets, unreleased information
Others' personal information	Personal data about third parties

Example: What NOT to Do

Bad:

My password is fluffy123. Can you help me make it stronger?

Good:

I have an 8-character password using lowercase letters and numbers. How can I make it stronger?

Workplace Considerations

If You Use ChatGPT for Work

Be aware that:

• Your company may have policies about AI tool usage
• Confidential work information shouldn't be shared
• Client data should never be entered
• Some industries have strict regulations (healthcare, finance, legal)

Questions to Ask Your Employer

• Is ChatGPT approved for work use?
• What types of information can I enter?
• Are there company-specific AI tools I should use instead?
• What are the data handling requirements for my role?

Safe Work Use Examples

Safe:

Help me write a generic template for customer follow-up emails.

Risky:

Here's my client list with their contact info and purchase history. Help me write personalized emails.

How ChatGPT Handles Your Data

OpenAI's Data Practices

According to OpenAI's policies:

• Conversations may be reviewed by humans for safety
• Data may be used to improve models (unless you opt out)
• They implement security measures to protect data
• They comply with applicable data protection laws

Enterprise Versions

If you're using ChatGPT Enterprise or Team:

• Conversations are not used for training by default
• Enhanced privacy controls are available
• Better suited for business use with sensitive information

Practical Privacy Tips

Tip 1: Anonymize Information

Instead of using real names and details, use placeholders:

Before:

My employee John Smith at john.smith@company.com has been underperforming...

After:

My employee (let's call them "J") has been underperforming...

Tip 2: Focus on the Problem, Not the Details

Too much info:

My 35-year-old son Michael who lives at 123 Main Street and works at XYZ Corp is having marriage problems...

Just enough:

My adult son is having marriage problems. What's a supportive way for a parent to respond?

Tip 3: Review Before Sending

Before hitting enter, scan your message for:

• Names that should be removed
• Account numbers or identifiers
• Confidential details
• Information about other people

Tip 4: Use Separate Accounts

Consider:

• Personal account for personal use
• Being extra cautious with work-related queries
• Not mixing highly personal and professional conversations

What About Screenshots and Sharing?

When sharing ChatGPT conversations:

• Screenshots may contain sensitive information
• Shared links show the entire conversation
• Consider who might see what you share
• Remove personal details before sharing examples

Understanding the Trade-Offs

Using ChatGPT involves a trade-off between convenience and privacy:

More Privacy	More Convenience
Disable chat history	Enable chat history
Share minimal information	Share context for better responses
Use anonymized details	Use specific details
Delete conversations	Keep for reference

You get to choose where you fall on this spectrum.

Key Takeaways

• Your conversations are sent to OpenAI's servers
• By default, chats may be used to improve AI models
• You can disable chat history and training in settings
• Never share passwords, financial info, or government IDs
• Be cautious with confidential work information
• Anonymize details when possible
• Check with your employer about work-related use
• Privacy involves trade-offs with convenience

In the final lesson, we'll cover broader safety considerations for using ChatGPT responsibly.