Is ChatGPT safe? A complete guide to security & privacy

ChatGPT burst onto the scene three years ago with more than a million users in just under five days, and for most of us, life hasn’t been the same since. The generative AI tool has professional and personal applications in our daily lives, raising the question: is ChatGPT safe? Can we trust it with our questions and, more importantly, our privacy? Let’s take a look at the measures in place to protect users, some common risks, and tips to enhance your privacy while using ChatGPT.

What is ChatGPT and how does it work?

ChatGPT is an AI-based chatbot that answers prompts, questions, and queries as if it were human. The large language model (LLM) is trained on vast datasets and has access to the internet to assist in its responses. It was developed using deep-learning algorithms, allowing it to process large and complex requests and generate responses within seconds.

There are both text and voice options, so you can actually have a spoken conversation with ChatGPT if typing and reading responses isn’t convenient. You can also prompt it to create digital AI art.

The biggest difference between ChatGPT and other AI platforms, such as Siri or Gemini, is that ChatGPT learns from previous interactions and gets smarter. It understands your style and tone and can remember previous conversations.

ChatGPT security measures: how it protects your data

Security is a major challenge for ChatGPT because it’s trained on data it “learns” during chats. Therefore, OpenAI—the parent company of ChatGPT—employs multiple security measures to ensure that user data and the platform itself remain secure, preventing hackers or bad actors from accessing personal transcripts.

Data encryption and secure communication

All ChatGPT conversations are secured with end-to-end encryption. This protects the data from the moment it’s typed into the prompt box, ensuring that it remains unreadable to anyone without a decryption key, even while in digital transit.

The company also enforces strict access controls to limit who can view user interactions, preventing data misuse. Only authorized personnel with specific clearance levels can access stored interactions, and even then, access is logged and monitored to ensure compliance with security policies. These measures help maintain user privacy and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.

Regular security audits and vulnerability testing

OpenAI conducts regular security audits through third-party firms that run tests to ensure the platform remains secure. These audits check for vulnerabilities in the code and assess whether there have been any internal or external breaches that could compromise user privacy. The findings are available to the public through the OpenAI security portal, ensuring transparency and accountability.

To stay one step ahead of cybercriminals—many of whom may attempt to use ChatGPT to generate malicious code—ChatGPT frequently updates its systems with security patches and enhancements. These updates help maintain the highest level of online security and protect the platform from emerging threats.

Privacy settings and data control options

Users can manage in the user settings what data is shared and whether ChatGPT stores their chat history.

Even if a user allows or does not disable chat history storage, OpenAI only retains conversations for a limited period necessary for training and improvement purposes. This ensures user interactions are not permanently stored, reinforcing OpenAI’s commitment to privacy and data protection.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and user verification

All the data security in the world isn’t helpful if bad actors can gain unauthorized access to a user’s account. Beyond the basics—like not sharing passwords or reusing them too often—users can enhance their account security by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA).

MFA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through an additional method, such as a one-time code sent to their phone or email. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if someone obtains the account password.

ChatGPT privacy concerns: what you need to know

ChatGPT prioritizes user privacy, but there are important details to remember. The platform does not actively collect personal data unless users voluntarily share it during conversations. This means that unless you input identifiable information, ChatGPT won’t store it. Conversations aren’t permanently stored, and OpenAI doesn’t use them to build personal profiles or track users, focusing solely on improving the AI’s responses.

Transparency and GDPR compliance

As a company, OpenAI states that it’s committed to transparency and follows GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) principles to protect user data. Users in certain regions, like the EU, can request access to their data, ask for corrections, or inquire about how their information is handled. This way, users can maintain control over their data and hold OpenAI accountable for its handling practices.

How your data is used and stored

OpenAI may review a user’s ChatGPT interactions to improve the platform’s performance. However, these are “blind reviews,” with no data linking back to specific users. All personally identifiable information is automatically removed, focusing solely on improving ChatGPT’s accuracy and safety. According to OpenAI, they don’t sell user data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes, ensuring that conversations remain private.

What data can be opted out of?

Users can open their account privacy settings to customize their data sharing preferences. Options include limiting data collection or completely opting out of having conversations used for AI training.

Businesses using the enterprise version of ChatGPT have access to more advanced controls over data retention and privacy preferences.

Even with these security measures, sharing proprietary or sensitive information during conversations is still not recommended, as it could be inadvertently included in responses to other users.

Common risks when using ChatGPT and how to avoid them

While ChatGPT implements strong security measures, there are still risks users should be aware of. Hackers, corporate spies, and other bad actors are constantly looking for ways to exploit vulnerabilities, so understanding these risks and knowing how to avoid them is crucial.

Scams and fraudulent ChatGPT apps

Numerous fake apps and websites claim to be ChatGPT or “powered by ChatGPT.” Avoid downloading these apps or visiting suspicious sites. OpenAI develops the only official ChatGPT app. Any other app posing as ChatGPT could be fraudulent, potentially collecting personal data, accessing chat transcripts, or charging for illegitimate services. Always verify the app’s developer and download only from trusted sources like official app stores or OpenAI’s website.

Malware and phishing

Cybercriminals have long used malware and phishing attacks to steal personal information. In the past, these scams were often easy to spot due to poor grammar and obvious mistakes. However, with generative AI tools like ChatGPT, attackers can now craft highly convincing phishing emails that are much harder to detect.

To stay safe, never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources claiming to be ChatGPT-related. OpenAI or ChatGPT will never ask for your password or request personal information. Always double-check URLs before clicking, and if something feels off, err on the side of caution.

Data breaches and account vulnerabilities

ChatGPT uses strong encryption and strict access controls to secure your data, but users must also take steps to protect their accounts. Using a strong, unique password and enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds an essential layer of security.

It’s also a good practice to regularly review your chat history for any conversations you don’t recognize. If you notice suspicious activity, report it to OpenAI immediately. Staying proactive can help prevent unauthorized access and minimize the risk of data breaches.

Misinformation and inaccurate responses

ChatGPT is a generative AI that mimics human responses based on large datasets, online sources, and past interactions. However, it doesn’t possess true intelligence and can sometimes present incorrect or outdated information as fact. This issue, known as “hallucination,” happens when the AI creates plausible-sounding but inaccurate answers, especially in longer responses.

Because of this, it’s essential to fact-check any important information ChatGPT provides before acting on it. One improvement in a recent version, ChatGPT-4o, is the ability to include sources with its responses, making it easier to verify the accuracy of its answers. Always review these sources to ensure you’re getting reliable information.

How to protect your privacy and stay safe on ChatGPT

No matter how secure ChatGPT may seem—with its end-to-end encryption, strict access controls, strong passwords, and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)—there’s always a risk of data leaks or exposed vulnerabilities. Even the best security measures can’t guarantee 100% protection.

To safeguard your privacy, even in a worst-case scenario, here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

Don’t share sensitive information

Don’t tell ChatGPT anything you wouldn’t want to be shared publicly. On a personal level, this includes information like your full name, address, Social Security or ID number, mother’s maiden name, passwords, and financial data. Companies should also instruct their employees to avoid sharing sensitive information about the business, such as upcoming launches, source codes, or anything they wouldn’t want competitors to know.

Remember, any text entered, unless you opt-out in the privacy settings, can be stored temporarily for quality improvements and training purposes.

Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication

We’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: use a strong password and enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication. The user is generally the weakest link in the security posture, lacking the resources of a large software company.

Regularly review ChatGPT’s privacy settings

Regularly check ChatGPT’s privacy settings to stay updated on any changes to its privacy policies. OpenAI may introduce new features or adjust data handling practices, so reviewing these settings ensures you’re always in control of how your information is used. Make it a habit to limit data sharing whenever possible and periodically review your account activity to catch any signs of unauthorized access.

Use a VPN for additional security

Using a VPN for ChatGPT adds an extra layer of security to your chat sessions. It encrypts your internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers or third parties to intercept your data. It also masks your IP address, reducing the risk of tracking and helping to maintain your anonymity online. With a VPN, you can browse more securely, ensuring your conversations with ChatGPT remain private, even on public Wi-Fi or unsecured networks.

Is ChatGPT safe for children and students?

ChatGPT is intended for users aged 13 and older, in accordance with OpenAI’s usage policies and privacy regulations, such as the US COPPA. Younger children should use ChatGPT only under adult supervision to ensure their safety and avoid exposure to inappropriate content. While ChatGPT offers educational advantages for kids, it also comes with certain risks that parents should be aware of.

Potential risks for kids and how to safeguard them

ChatGPT can sometimes generate responses that are not age-appropriate or could be easily misunderstood by children. Since the LLM pulls information from a vast range of sources, there’s a chance it may present complex topics or sensitive content that young users aren’t prepared to process correctly. Even when providing general information, the AI lacks the ability to fully understand a child’s emotional or intellectual maturity, which could lead to misinterpretations. This makes it essential for parents to monitor their child’s interactions with ChatGPT and step in when necessary to clarify or contextualize responses.

Another important concern is that children may unknowingly share personal information while chatting with an AI bot. Kids might not fully grasp the risks of revealing details like their name, address, school, or other identifiable information. Parents should actively supervise their child’s use of ChatGPT and educate them about online safety, teaching them not to share private details with anyone online—including AI bots. Encouraging children to use ChatGPT for guided educational purposes, like help with homework or exploring safe topics, can help them benefit from the tool while minimizing risks.

Age restrictions and parental controls

ChatGPT is officially intended for users aged 13 and older. However, children with internet access can still use the platform without built-in age verification, making parental supervision essential.

ChatGPT doesn’t have any built-in parental control tools. The best way to limit or block the app is with a parental control app that offers features for managing screen time and app access per app.

Conclusion: Is ChatGPT safe to use in 2025?

ChatGPT continues to be a powerful and generally safe tool in 2025, especially when used responsibly. OpenAI remains committed to enhancing security and privacy measures to protect users while improving the platform’s capabilities. By staying informed about best practices, enabling essential security features, and remaining vigilant against potential risks, users can maximize ChatGPT’s benefits while maintaining privacy and safety.