Myth: Turning Off Training Makes ChatGPT Private

Myth vs factOne graphicChatGPT

By Robert Breen · Published October 1, 2026 · From the free lesson Reply Faster to a Client Asking for a Case Update: ChatGPT for Small Law Firms

Myth vs fact: turning off training stops chats being used to improve models, but they are still processed and stored. Remove details you don't need.

The guide in text

The myth

Training off means private.

The fact

Turning off training stops your chats from being used to improve models. They are still processed and stored to run the service, so remove details the task doesn't need.

From the Stepthrough AI glossary: ChatGPT data controls

The full definition: What are ChatGPT data controls? in the AI glossary, with an example from a free lesson, common confusions and tips.

Businesses and people in the examples are made up. The steps, screens and wording come from the free lesson and the Stepthrough glossary and prompt library.

Do it yourself, free

Reply Faster to a Client Asking for a Case Update: ChatGPT for Small Law Firms. A client wants a court date and a promise she'll win. Give ChatGPT the thread and your firm's facts, catch the lines that predict an outcome, and send a clear, kind case update from Gmail. You do every step yourself in a practice copy of ChatGPT, it checks your work as you go, and “Do it for me” finishes any step you get stuck on. Free, and nothing touches your real accounts.

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Or read the full step-by-step guide

Plain-English definitions, each with an example from a free lesson.

ChatGPT data controls AI acceptable use policy Client status update Default judgment Email thread Hallucination Legal information vs legal advice Prompt chaining

The full AI glossary

Check reply promises prompt: A ChatGPT prompt that checks a draft before you send it: a table of every promise, the fact behind each, and safer wording for…
Client case update email prompt: A four-part prompt for law firm staff: turn a worried client's emails and your firm's facts into a clear case update with no…
Court date reminder email prompt: Remind a client about a hearing or court date from your firm's facts: what it is, when and how to join, whether they must…
Email newsletter prompt: A ChatGPT prompt for a short customer newsletter built from your numbered updates: one section each, one main call to action, no…

All free prompt templates

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