The Register: Five years – that’s how long Anthropic will store Claude chats unless you opt out

Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/28/anthropic_five_year_data_retention/
Source: The Register
Title: Five years – that’s how long Anthropic will store Claude chats unless you opt out

Feedly Summary: My brain hurts a lot
Claude creator Anthropic has given customers using its Free, Pro, and Max plans one month to prevent the engine from storing their chats for five years by default and using them for training.…

AI Summary and Description: Yes

Summary: The text addresses a significant change by Anthropic, the creator of the Claude AI models, regarding data retention policies. This development is particularly relevant for privacy and compliance professionals as it reflects on user consent and controls over their data.

Detailed Description: The text highlights new policies from Anthropic aimed at enhancing user privacy and control over their data when using the Claude AI engine. Key points include:

– **Data Retention Policy Change**: Anthropic has implemented a new policy that allows customers using its plans (Free, Pro, and Max) to opt out of the default setting that retains their chat data for five years.
– **User Empowerment**: Customers now have a month to prevent their conversations from being stored and potentially used for future model training, reflecting a shift towards prioritizing user consent.
– **Importance of Privacy**: This action underscores the necessity for organizations in AI development to address data privacy concerns and ensure their practices align with evolving regulations and public expectations.

Implications for security, privacy, and compliance professionals:
– **Regulatory Compliance**: Organizations using or developing AI technologies need to be aware of and compliant with privacy regulations, which are increasingly focused on user agency and consent.
– **Trust and Transparency**: Companies can enhance trust among users by being transparent about their data usage policies and giving options for data control, which is becoming a critical component of customer relationships in the tech sector.
– **Best Practices**: Organizations should consider implementing similar strategies that prioritize user privacy and align with industry standards to navigate future regulatory environments effectively.