Is GitHub Copilot safe for business data?
Since April 24, 2026, GitHub uses Copilot Free, Pro, and Pro+ interaction data, including code snippets, to train its AI models unless you opt out; GitHub says it does not use Copilot Business or Enterprise data to train its models.
Training, plan by plan
- Used for training: Free, Pro, and Pro+: used, unless you opt out.
- Not used for training: Business and Enterprise: not used.
What it does with your data
| Question | Free, Pro, and Pro+ | Business and Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Trains on your data by default? | Yes, unless you opt out. Since April 24, 2026, GitHub uses inputs, outputs, code snippets, and related context from these plans to train and improve its AI models. If you opted out earlier, your choice was kept. Read on October 23, 2026 · source: github.blog | No. GitHub says it does not use Copilot Business or Enterprise data to train its models, and these plans were not affected by the April 2026 change. Read on October 23, 2026 · source: github.com |
| How long chats are kept | As long as your account is active, under GitHub’s general privacy statement. The pages we read give no separate retention period for Copilot prompts and suggestions on these plans. Read on October 23, 2026 · source: docs.github.com | The pages we read do not give a retention period for prompts and suggestions on these plans. Not confirmed · page checked: github.com, October 23, 2026 |
| Who can read them | The pages we read do not say which GitHub or Microsoft staff can read Copilot prompts on these plans. Not confirmed · page checked: github.blog, October 23, 2026 | The pages we read do not say which GitHub or Microsoft staff can read Copilot prompts on these plans. Not confirmed · page checked: github.com, October 23, 2026 |
| Where data is stored | In your local region, the United States, and other countries where GitHub or its service providers operate, under GitHub’s general privacy statement. Read on October 23, 2026 · source: docs.github.com | The pages we read do not say where Copilot prompts and suggestions are stored. Not confirmed · page checked: github.com, October 23, 2026 |
| How to delete | You can ask GitHub to delete your data, with some legal and security exceptions. The pages we read do not describe a way to delete individual Copilot interactions. Read on October 23, 2026 · source: docs.github.com | The pages we read do not describe how to delete Copilot prompts or suggestions on these plans. Not confirmed · page checked: github.com, October 23, 2026 |
How to turn training off
- Buy Copilot Business or Enterprise seats for your developers. GitHub says it does not train its models on data from these plans. Source: github.com
- Anyone using a personal Copilot plan for work should open their GitHub settings and opt out of model training under “Privacy.” Source: github.blog
- Keep customer data, secrets, and production records out of prompts and open files while Copilot is active. Source: github.blog
Safer setup for a small team
Give developers seats on Copilot Business or Enterprise through your company GitHub organization, not personal Free or Pro plans.
Plan to approve: Copilot Business or Enterprise
Setting to check: Company organization seats only
A line for your AI policy: Developers use GitHub Copilot only through our company Copilot Business seats. Customer data and secrets stay out of prompts and open files.
Want this in your team’s AI policy? The SafeStart kit, a plain-English AI policy and training for small teams, is coming soon.
Questions about your own setup? Write to hello@terrapilgrim.org.
What changed
No changes recorded since we first published this page on October 23, 2026. Every change goes in the change log.
Sources (3)
- github.blog/news-insights/company-news/updates-to-github-copilot-int… · read on October 23, 2026
“users will be used to train and improve our AI models unless they opt out.”
- docs.github.com/en/site-policy/privacy-policies/github-general-privacy-s… · read on October 23, 2026
“We’ll retain your Personal Data as long as your account is active and as needed to fulfill contractual obligations, comply with legal requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements.”
- github.com/features/copilot/copilot-business · read on October 23, 2026
“No. GitHub does not use either Copilot Business or Enterprise data to train its models.”
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