Chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bing Chat have become invaluable tools as they help users be more productive and save time as they can use them to write and debug articles and code, summarize long emails and even analyze large amounts of data.
But like any free technology, we have more specific questions about the privacy implications: What happens to all the information you put into your new AI tool?
So, in this article, we'll go over ChatGPT's user data storage practices, how to handle your sensitive data, and how you can permanently delete your data from OpenAI's servers.
Firstly ; Does ChatGPT log chats and user data?
Yes, OpenAI records user conversations with ChatGPT bots for future analysis; According to the company's FAQ page, its employees can also optionally review conversations to improve its systems and ensure content complies with its policies and security requirements.
In addition to chat prompts and conversations; OpenAI also records other data when you use the ChatGPT bot, including account details such as: your name, email address, IP address, device information, and card data balance (if you subscribe to the paid version of ChatGPT).
second; What does OpenAI do with your data?
According to OpenAI, internal AI trainers can use ChatGPT for training because OpenAI's GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 language models, like any machine learning-based technology, are trained with billions of text samples.
It can also be improved further through a process called fine-tuning, in which the model is retrained using small datasets such as user conversations.
Custom ChatGPT responses to feel as natural as human conversations during development; The engineers used a machine learning technique known as Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF), a technology previously developed by the company to improve reinforcement learning (RL) models, rather than modeling its environment and the process to be explored. Coincidentally, the RLHF technique uses feedback from human presenters to point the model in the right direction.
Therefore, the initial development involved AI trainers having conversations with ChatGPT, acting as a user and assistant to the AI.
Now that ChatGPT bots are widely used, it makes sense for the company to continue collecting user conversations to train and improve the bot, and if you don't want your data to be used for training, you can do so by submitting this form to the company.
third; Does OpenAI sell user data to third parties?
With OpenAI, anyone can use the ChatGPT bot for free, but companies have to pay to get responses. Thus, the company's investment in data is predictable, but according to its website, the company still has to share ChatGPT conversations for marketing purposes.
As for how the company stores ChatGPT data, the company says its systems are located in the US, and the company also requires anyone accessing your data to sign a nondisclosure agreement and abide by other security obligations.
In summary ; So far, OpenAI does not sell ChatGPT user data to advertisers, but employees can view conversations to train and improve the bot.
fourth; Can you trust ChatGPT to manage your data?
Since going public in October 2022, the ChatGPT bot has seen two data leaks so far. In the first case, an error caused some users to see other people's chat addresses when logging in, but the error did not reveal full chat histories or other sensitive data.
However, in the second incident, a technical error leaked some user data, including their name, email address, the last four digits of their credit card number, and the card's expiration date.
These incidents show that there is a real danger when ChatGPT stores all user data. So far, OpenAI has been able to keep the entire chat history safe from prying eyes, but this could change at any time in the event of a future attack. security breach.
Therefore, you should not share sensitive personal information, trade secrets, or medical data with ChatGPT bots or competing chatbots such as Google Bard.
Fifth ; How do I delete my data from ChatGPT?
Free or paid ChatGPT users can delete chat and consultation history in Settings, but this step will not delete anything stored on the OpenAI server.
Currently, the only way to permanently delete your ChatGPT data is to close your OpenAI account via Settings or by sending a request to close your account to the email address (deletion@openai.com).
Once OpenAI completes the wipe, all your ChatGPT data and chats should be permanently deleted from the company's servers, but keep in mind that this process can take a week or two.