Paying for an AI subscription does not automatically keep your conversations out of model training. Personal plans such as ChatGPT Plus and Claude Pro still have training controls that users need to understand. For businesses using AI to draft emails, summarise documents or analyse information, the type of account and its privacy settings matter. Here is what to check across ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot.
Training is not the same as answering your question
An AI service has to process what you give it in order to answer. Using that information later to train or improve a model is a separate activity. Saving your chat history and remembering your preferences are separate again. A training opt-out therefore does not mean your information is never processed, stored or reviewed. Equally, asking an assistant to summarise a document does not in itself mean the provider is training on that document.
ChatGPT, including Plus and Pro
OpenAI enables training data sharing by default for personal Free, Plus and Pro accounts. You can switch it off without losing your chat history by going to Settings > Data controls > Improve the model for everyone. The setting follows your signed-in account across devices. Rating a response with a thumbs-up or thumbs-down can still make that conversation available for training. Temporary Chats are excluded from model improvement, although OpenAI may keep them for up to 30 days for safety purposes. ChatGPT Business and ChatGPT Enterprise are not used for training by default. A personal Plus subscription does not become a Business workspace just because you use it for work.
Claude, including Pro and Max
Claude Free, Pro and Max are consumer plans, and Anthropic can use their chats and coding sessions to improve Claude if users allow it. Check Settings > Privacy > Help improve Claude. Switching this off stops new chats and coding sessions being used for training. Anthropic also says previously stored chats will not be used in future training runs, but training that has already started or finished cannot be reversed. Feedback you submit can still be used, and conversations flagged for safety review may be used to improve safety systems. Incognito chats are excluded. Claude for Work (Team and Enterprise plans) and the Anthropic API exclude inputs and outputs from training by default, subject to exceptions such as voluntary feedback.
Google Gemini
On a personal Google account, the key control is Keep Activity in Gemini Apps Activity. When it is on, saved activity can be used to improve Google services, including training generative AI models, and some of it may be reviewed by people. Paying for a personal Google AI plan does not change this. Switching Keep Activity off excludes future chats from training unless you submit feedback. Google still retains those chats for 72 hours to provide the service and support safety, and some connected apps stop working. For a one-off conversation, a Temporary Chat keeps it out of your activity and out of training without changing the account-wide setting, though it is still kept for up to 72 hours. Gemini in qualifying Google Workspace services is different: Google says customer content is not reviewed by people or used for model training outside your organisation without permission.
Microsoft Copilot
Microsoft released an updated Copilot app for web, desktop and mobile on 18 August 2026. For that app on a personal Microsoft account, Microsoft says prompts, responses and file contents are not used to train its foundation models. Optional feedback may be used to improve Copilot, but not to train those foundation models. The older app worked differently and offered a training opt-out instead. Because the rollout has been staggered, check which version you are using. For Copilot used with a work or school account under enterprise data protection, Microsoft states that prompts, responses and Microsoft Graph data are not used to train foundation models. The account you sign in with decides which terms apply.
What businesses should do now
Start by finding out which AI tools staff use and whether they sign in with personal or company-managed accounts. Agree which tools are approved and what information can go into them. Drafting a public product description and uploading an identifiable client file call for different decisions. Check training settings, feedback options, connected apps and sharing permissions. Remove unnecessary personal or confidential details before uploading anything. Do not assume a training opt-out also covers every app or service connected to the assistant.
Our view
A no-training commitment is a useful baseline, but it does not by itself show that a service is suitable. For firms handling confidential or regulated client information, the bigger risk is usually staff using personal accounts that the business cannot see, manage or audit. An organisation-managed service, with proper access controls, retention settings and contractual terms, puts those decisions back in your hands. AI can be genuinely useful without turning data handling into guesswork. If you are unsure which accounts or settings your team should be using, contact Trichromic to discuss your requirements.
Provider guidance
Checked on 25 September 2026. Settings, features and terms can change, so follow the current guidance for your account, region and product version.
[1] OpenAI – Data controls in ChatGPT
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/7730893-data-controls-in-chatgpt
[2] OpenAI – Business data privacy, security and compliance
https://openai.com/business-data/
[3] Anthropic – Is my data used for model training? (consumer plans)
https://privacy.claude.com/en/articles/10023580-is-my-data-used-for-model-training
[4] Anthropic – Is my data used for model training? (commercial products)
https://privacy.claude.com/en/articles/7996868-is-my-data-used-for-model-training
[5] Google – Gemini Apps Privacy Hub
https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/13594961?hl=en-GB
[6] Google – Gemini app personalizes responses based on past chats, plus new privacy controls
https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/gemini/temporary-chats-privacy-controls/
[7] Google – Generative AI in Google Workspace Privacy Hub
https://knowledge.workspace.google.com/admin/generative-ai/generative-ai-in-google-workspace-privacy-hub
[8] Microsoft – Microsoft Copilot for individuals: your activity history (updated app)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/microsoft-copilot/activity-history
[9] Microsoft – Privacy FAQ for Microsoft Copilot (older app)
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-copilot/privacy-faq-for-microsoft-copilot
[10] Microsoft – Data protection when using Microsoft Copilot Chat for work or school
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/privacy/data-protection-when-using-microsoft-365-copilot-chat-for-work-or-school
