Free AI chatbots: what to switch off before you start

In our checks, signed-out ChatGPT and a new Gemini account were set to use chats to improve their AI. Gemini's Keep activity setting was set to delete activity after 18 months.

We took the Gemini screenshots with a new Google account, and the ChatGPT screenshot without signing in. The Copilot and Claude steps come from their help pages.

1. Check what each one needs

• ChatGPT works without an account. Signed out, it doesn't save your chats, create images or take file uploads. You must be at least 13, or the minimum age required in your country. If you are under 18, you need a parent or legal guardian's permission.
• Gemini needs a Google account to save chats. Age and access rules depend on your country and account type. Work accounts require users to be 18 or older; school access also needs administrator approval. Check Google's Gemini account requirements (opens in a new tab).
• Copilot needs a Microsoft account. Microsoft's terms from 18 August 2026 say you must be signed in to use it. The minimum age is 13, or older in some countries.
• Claude needs an account, and you must be at least 18.

2. Turn off training in ChatGPT

You can do this without an account. Signed out, the choice is saved in that browser only.

1. Open chatgpt.com (opens in a new tab) and select Settings in the sidebar.
2. Under Data controls, turn off Improve the model for everyone.
3. Turn off Personalize ads too if you don't want your chats used to choose ads.

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ChatGPT settings while signed out, with Improve the model for everyone and Personalize ads switched on

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ChatGPT settings, signed out. Improve the model for everyone, Personalize ads and both marketing settings are on.

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If you sign in, the setting is under your account menu: Settings, then Data controls. It then applies on every device.

If you give an answer a thumbs up or thumbs down, the whole conversation may still be used for training, even with the setting off.

3. Turn off Gemini activity

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Gemini first-use note saying Gemini can make mistakes and chats are reviewed and used to improve Google AI

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Gemini's first-use note: "Chats are reviewed and used to improve Google AI."

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1. Select the settings icon at the bottom left, then Activity.

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Gemini settings menu listing Activity, Usage limits and Your public links

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2. On the Gemini Apps activity page, check Keep activity. It was on for our account the first time we opened Gemini, with activity deleted after 18 months.

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Gemini Apps activity page with Keep activity switched on and activity deleted after 18 months

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3. Select On, then choose Turn off, or Turn off and delete activity to remove past chats as well.

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Keep activity menu with the options Turn off and Turn off and delete activity

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Even with it off, Google keeps chats for 72 hours to answer you and keep Gemini safe. Google says chats that people have reviewed can be kept for up to three years, even after you delete them.

4. Turn off training in Copilot and Claude

Copilot. On copilot.com, select your profile icon, then your profile name, then Privacy. Turn off Training on conversation activity and Training on voice conversations. Microsoft says this doesn't stop your chats being used for advertising, safety and other product improvements.

Claude. Open Settings, then Privacy, and turn off the switch under Help Improve our AI models. Anthropic says chats its safety systems flag can still be used for safety work.

5. Leave out anything private

People at OpenAI, Google and Microsoft may read your chats. ChatGPT's own page says chats "may be reviewed". Microsoft's terms put it plainly: "You shouldn't share any information with Copilot that you don't want us to review."

Before you paste something in, remove names, account numbers, addresses and anything from work you aren't allowed to share.

6. Check the answers

Gemini, Copilot and Claude all warn that answers can be wrong. Anthropic's terms say not to rely on Claude's output "without independently confirming" it, and Microsoft tells you to check Copilot's information before you act on it.

Use the chatbot for a first draft or a starting point. Check facts, prices, dates and anything legal or medical against the original source.

7. Know when the free plan runs out

Gemini, Copilot and Claude don't publish a fixed number of free messages. Gemini shows your usage under Usage limits in the settings menu.

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Gemini usage limits page showing current usage, a weekly limit and an AI Plus offer

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Gemini's free plan has a short-term limit and a weekly limit. Its Usage limits page shows when each resets. Claude's free limit resets every five hours and depends on demand.

8. Check what you've shared

In Gemini, a shared chat link is public. Anyone with the link can read and reshare the conversation. Gemini lists your links under Your public links in the settings menu, where you can manage them.

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Gemini Your public links page with no shared links

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Sources: OpenAI, Data controls in ChatGPT (opens in a new tab) and Terms of Use (opens in a new tab); Google, Gemini Apps Privacy Hub (opens in a new tab) and Share your chats (opens in a new tab); Microsoft, Copilot Terms of Use (opens in a new tab) and Copilot privacy controls (opens in a new tab); Anthropic, model improvement settings (opens in a new tab), usage limits (opens in a new tab) and Consumer Terms (opens in a new tab).