Is ChatGPT private?

Short answer: not fully. When you chat with ChatGPT, your prompts are sent to OpenAI's servers, where they may be processed and retained. That's fine for plenty of tasks — but not for confidential or client data.

What actually happens to your data

• Your prompt leaves your device and is processed in OpenAI's cloud.
• Consumer ChatGPT may use conversations to improve models unless you opt out in settings.
• Business/enterprise and API tiers have different data-handling terms.

Always check OpenAI's current policy — terms change.

How to reduce your exposure

• Turn off chat history / model-training in settings where offered.
• Never paste secrets, client identifiers or regulated data into a cloud chatbot.
• For anything sensitive, use AI that runs locally.

The private alternative: run AI on your Mac

Lyra runs open-source models locally on your Mac, so your prompts stay on your device. Sensitive queries default to on-device models, and if you use optional cloud models, personal data is redacted first and you connect your own API key. Lyra Local is free for the first 100,000 users.

FAQ

Is ChatGPT private?

Not fully — prompts go to OpenAI's servers and may be retained. Local AI keeps data on your device.

How can I use AI privately?

Run the model locally — e.g. with Lyra on your Mac.