How to Protect Your Data in ChatGPT and Claude
Updated: 3 days ago
We tell ChatGPT and Claude about our business, our clients and our plans every day. This step-by-step guide with screenshots shows you how to stop both assistants from training on your chats, when to use a temporary chat, and what you should never type into an AI tool. It was written for small business owners in Georgia who take our AI courses, and it works the same anywhere.
Time: 10 minutes, once. You need: a ChatGPT or Claude account and a computer.
What you should never type into AI
Passwords, card or bank account numbers, personal ID numbers.
Your clients' personal data: full names, phone numbers, addresses.
Someone else's confidential document that you have no right to share.
Tip: to discuss a client case, write "Client A" instead of the name and describe the situation in general terms. That is all the AI needs.
How to turn off model training on your chats in ChatGPT
Open chatgpt.com, click your picture in the bottom left corner, then Settings.
In the left menu, choose Data controls.
Turn off Improve the model for everyone (screenshot, 1).
Manage next to Shared links (2) shows the links you have shared. Delete the ones you no longer need.
What you should see: the Improve the model for everyone toggle is grey, which means it is off.
How to turn off model training on your chats in Claude
Open claude.ai, click your name in the bottom left corner, then Settings.
In the left menu, choose Privacy (screenshot, 1).
Turn off Help improve our AI models (2).
Manage next to Shared chats (3) shows which chats you have shared by link.
What you should see: the Help improve our AI models toggle is grey, which means it is off.
Temporary chat: when nothing should be saved
A temporary chat does not appear in your history, does not update memory and is not used for training. Use it when you work on a sensitive topic or just want to test something.
In ChatGPT: on a new chat screen, click the Temporary chat icon in the top right corner.
In Claude: on a new chat screen, click the ghost icon (Incognito) in the top right corner.
Note: temporary does not mean secret. The company still keeps these chats for a short time for safety reasons (ChatGPT up to 30 days), so the rules above still apply.
What does AI know about you? Check the memory
Both assistants keep short notes about you so you don't have to repeat yourself. Check what is stored:
Claude: Settings › Memory.
ChatGPT: Settings › Personalization › Memory summary › Manage.
Or simply ask in a chat. Copy this prompt:
List what you know and remember about me. Mark separately anything that could be sensitive.If you don't like something, write: "Delete this and don't remember it again."
Connectors: what AI can see in your Gmail and Google Drive
When you connect Google Drive, Gmail or Calendar, the AI can see only what that account can access, and only when you ask it to.
Connect only official connectors. Don't give access to unknown third-party tools.
To disconnect: click Disconnect in the AI settings, or remove access at myaccount.google.com/connections.
In ChatGPT, keep the Allow low-risk permission: it asks for your confirmation before writing to a file or sending an email.
Frequently asked questions
Does ChatGPT use my chats for training?
It may, if this setting is on. After you turn off Improve the model for everyone in Data controls, your new chats are no longer used to train the models.
Does Claude use my chats for training?
Yes, if Help improve our AI models is on in Privacy. Once you turn it off, your chats are no longer used for training.
Do I need to change this on my phone too?
No. These settings belong to your account, so changing them once on your computer is enough.
Is a temporary chat completely private?
No. It is not shown in your history and is not used for training, but the company still keeps it for a short time. Don't type passwords or personal data there either.
Sources
More guides: How to use ChatGPT effectively, How to use ChatGPT, How to use Claude AI, How to use Gemini AI.
About the author
Niko Tevdorashvili, founder of Azrioni. 17+ years leading marketing teams, 100+ projects across 15+ sectors, from banking to tourism. For four years, AI has been part of all his consulting and training programs.
Want to adapt AI to your business? Write to us at info@azrioni.ai.
Updated: October 18, 2026.
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