# Myth: Turning Off Training Makes ChatGPT Private > 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. Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual/myth-training-off-means-private · Updated 2026-10-01 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com) [Myth vs fact](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual#format-myth-fact) · One graphic · [ChatGPT](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/tool/chatgpt) By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about) · Published October 1, 2026 · From the free lesson [Reply Faster to a Client Asking for a Case Update: ChatGPT for Small Law Firms](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/chatgpt-client-case-update-email-law-firm) 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 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?](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/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. [Start the free lesson](https://learn.ynteractive.com/modules/law-case-update-reply) [Or read the full step-by-step guide](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/chatgpt-client-case-update-email-law-firm) ## Related terms Plain-English definitions, each with an example from a free lesson. [ChatGPT data controls](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/chatgpt-data-controls) · [AI acceptable use policy](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/ai-acceptable-use-policy) · [Client status update](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/client-status-update) · [Default judgment](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/default-judgment) · [Email thread](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/email-thread) · [Hallucination](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/hallucination) · [Legal information vs legal advice](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/legal-information-vs-legal-advice) · [Prompt chaining](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt-chaining) [The full AI glossary](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary) ## Related prompts - [Check reply promises prompt](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts/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](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts/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](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts/hearing-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](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts/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](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts) ## From the blog - [ChatGPT for Paralegals: Client Updates and Case Recaps](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/chatgpt-for-paralegals): ChatGPT for paralegals and legal assistants: draft client updates from a facts list with no predictions, recap case meetings, and know what never to paste. - [Is It Safe to Paste Client Emails into ChatGPT?](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/is-it-safe-to-paste-client-data-into-chatgpt): Is it safe to put client data in ChatGPT? A practical checklist: what to remove first, which plan settings to check, and the rules your industry points to. - [ChatGPT for Law Firms: Case Updates Without Predictions](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/blog/chatgpt-for-law-firms): ChatGPT for law firms: draft client case-update emails from your firm's facts, catch every line that predicts an outcome, and send a clear, kind reply. ## More visual guides - [Myth: A 200 Status Means the Workflow Is Done](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual/myth-200-means-the-work-is-done): Myth vs fact: a 200 only means the server accepted the request. A webhook can answer before the workflow has done anything at all. - [Myth: A Business ChatGPT Plan Makes PII Safe to Paste](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual/myth-business-plan-makes-pii-safe): Myth vs fact: a business plan can reduce risk, but it doesn't override industry rules or client agreements. Leave out what the task doesn't need. - [Myth: An AI Model Looks Things Up Before It Answers](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual/myth-ai-models-look-things-up): Myth vs fact: by default a large language model answers from its training plus your prompt. Web search or file lookup is a separate step. [All visual guides](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/visual) · [All free tutorials](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content)