OpenAI has detailed the process for users to delete their accounts through two primary methods: submitting a request to the Privacy Portal or directly within ChatGPT. The company explains that deleting an account automatically cancels any active ChatGPT Plus subscription, preventing continued billing after account removal.

The Privacy Portal method requires users to select "Delete my ChatGPT account" while the in-ChatGPT option requires logging in within the last 10 minutes. Users must type their email address plus "DELETE" to unlock the permanent deletion button. Deleted chats are hard-deleted within 30 days, with exceptions for security or legal reasons.

Account deletion is permanent - deactivated accounts cannot be reactivated, though users can create a new account with the same email after 30 days. Phone verification remains a limitation, as numbers can only be used for verification up to 3 times. The company maintains it does not train on business data for Enterprise services.

Users can still access ChatGPT without logging in, though they cannot save conversations across sessions. Account deletion does not allow changing authentication methods, though those who originally signed up with email/password can later add Google/Apple login options. Deleted accounts not disabled for policy violations may re-register with the same phone number after 30 days.