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Tech Giants Collect User Data by Default—Here's How to Opt Out

4/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

ChatGPT, along with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple, collects user data by default to improve services.
Users can opt out by adjusting settings, typically taking about 15 minutes.
For example, ChatGPT lets users toggle off model improvement data, while Alexa and Siri offer steps to manage recordings.
Even after opting out, companies retain previously collected data, and data brokers compile information from many sources.

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Story summary

ChatGPT, along with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple, collects user data by default to improve services.
Users can opt out by adjusting settings, typically taking about 15 minutes.
For example, ChatGPT lets users toggle off model improvement data, while Alexa and Siri offer steps to manage recordings.
Even after opting out, companies retain previously collected data, and data brokers compile information from many sources.