Recently, the “#QuitGPT” movement has rapidly spread online. The trigger was OpenAI’s partnership with the U.S. military, which raised concerns among some users about the potential use of AI applications for surveillance or military purposes. Even though many users announced they would cancel their subscriptions and delete their accounts, “cancelling a subscription does not mean deleting data.” This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to fully unsubscribe and what to watch out for.
#QuitGPT Movement Sparks Wave of Account Deletions Due to AI Military Collaboration
Last week, OpenAI announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its AI models on classified military networks. The news quickly sparked controversy in the community, with some users believing AI should avoid involvement in military or surveillance uses. As a result, uninstallations of the ChatGPT app and one-star reviews surged.
(ChatGPT uninstallations tripled, OpenAI’s Pentagon partnership raises security concerns)
As public opinion heated up, competitor Anthropic’s product Claude quickly rose to the top of the free app charts on the U.S. App Store, and the “#QuitGPT” hashtag was widely shared across social platforms. According to statistics, over 2.5 million people have publicly committed to quitting ChatGPT and shared how to delete their data.
I want to remind everyone that even if you cancel ChatGPT Plus or delete the app, your past conversations may still be stored in OpenAI’s systems. To fully take your data with you and reduce data retention risks, you need to complete additional settings and steps.
Complete Guide to Removing Your Data from ChatGPT: Seven Steps to Take Your Data
According to OpenAI’s product design, ChatGPT by default uses some user conversations for model improvement and training. This means “user prompts, reply corrections, interaction styles, workflows, and writing habits” could be included in the AI training data.
Therefore, if users want to retain their data before leaving and reduce the chance of it being used, they must export their conversations, disable model training permissions, delete memories and chat history, and finally delete their account. Here is the full process.
Step 1: Export All Conversation Data
First, download a complete backup of your chat history. ChatGPT offers a data export feature, allowing you to download a ZIP file containing all conversations, including “full conversations with timestamps (conversations.json)” and “viewable chat logs (chat.html).”
Operation process: Settings → Data Management → Export Data
The download link is usually sent via email within a few minutes and expires after 24 hours.
Step 2: Turn Off “Model Training” Data Usage
ChatGPT may use conversation data to improve models by default. To stop new data from being used for training, disable the following setting.
Operation process: Settings → Data Management → Improve Models for Everyone
After turning this off, new conversations will no longer be used for model training, but past data already used will not be retroactively deleted.
Step 3: Check, Backup, and Delete ChatGPT “Memory”
ChatGPT has a memory feature that records user occupation, location, preferences, and writing style. Before deleting, it’s recommended to manually back up this data.
Operation process: Settings → Personalization → Memory
After backing up, you can choose to delete some memories or clear all. OpenAI states that deleted memories will still be retained for up to 30 days but will no longer be used.
Operation process: Settings → Personalization → Memory → Manage → Delete All Memories
Step 4: Revoke External App Permissions
Some users have connected ChatGPT to Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, Google Calendar, etc., granting AI access to these data. You can revoke all permissions via the following path.
Operation process: Settings → Apps
Step 5: Cancel Subscription to Avoid Ongoing Charges
If you subscribed via Apple App Store or Google Play, deleting your OpenAI account will not automatically stop charges. You need to cancel subscriptions in the respective app stores. If you subscribed directly through the ChatGPT website, you can cancel via the following path.
Operation process: Settings → Account → Manage Subscription
Step 6: Submit Formal Data Deletion Request
Users can also submit a data deletion request through OpenAI’s privacy website at privacy.openai.com. This creates an official record and prompts OpenAI to respond in accordance with privacy laws.
Step 7: Delete Your ChatGPT Account
Finally, to delete your account, the system will ask you to enter your email and type “DELETE” to confirm. The data deletion process can take up to 30 days.
Operation process: Settings → Account → Delete Account
#New Awareness in the AI Era: Protect Personal Data and Watch for Privacy Leaks
As AI tools become increasingly important in work and creative processes, concerns about data privacy and AI usage are rising. The “#QuitGPT” movement not only reflects some users’ worries about military applications but also highlights ongoing discussions about data transparency and usage rights on AI platforms.
For most users, choosing whether to leave ChatGPT for other AI services is a personal decision. But regardless of whether you continue using AI tools, understanding how data is collected, stored, and deleted is essential digital literacy in the AI era.
This article: “Canceling a subscription does not mean deleting data! Seven steps to fully unsubscribe from ChatGPT” was first published by ABMedia.
