[DigitalToday reporter Yoonseo Lee] More users are leaving ChatGPT after controversy over OpenAI’s contract with the U.S. Defense Department. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the contract was rushed and has moved to revise parts of it, but many are still seeking AI alternatives to ChatGPT. Many users are switching to Anthropic’s Claude, but those used to ChatGPT’s extensive data use may need time to adapt.

TechRadar, an IT outlet, on March 11 introduced “3 things you must check” before quitting ChatGPT.

First, users should back up ChatGPT data. In the web interface, click the profile icon, go to “Data controls,” and select “Export data.” Immediate download is not available. After OpenAI processes the request, it provides a download link by email within a few days. The link is valid for 24 hours.

Second is copying saved memories. If switching to Claude, an option is provided to bring over ChatGPT’s memories. In Claude’s web interface, select the “Import memory” function to easily copy and paste saved memories from ChatGPT. It may feel somewhat cumbersome, but it is a way to use existing data in a new AI environment.

Finally, users should delete all chat history before leaving. In “Data controls,” select “Delete all chats,” but it can take OpenAI up to 30 days to actually delete the data. Data cannot be restored after deletion, so users should decide carefully.

For users considering leaving ChatGPT, how to整理 accumulated data and settings has emerged as a more important issue than deleting an account itself. The article said checking backups, memory transfer and chat history management in advance can reduce confusion when switching services.