Updates to GitHub Copilot interaction data usage policy
github.blog
March 25, 2026
3 min read
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63/100
Summary
GitHub will use interaction data from Copilot Free, Pro, and Pro+ users to train and improve AI models starting April 24, unless users opt out. Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise users are not impacted by this policy change.
Key Takeaways
- Starting April 24, GitHub will use interaction data from Copilot Free, Pro, and Pro+ users to train and improve AI models unless users opt out.
- Copilot Business and Copilot Enterprise users are not affected by the new data usage policy.
- Interaction data collected may include code snippets, context, user feedback, and navigation patterns, but will not include data from users who opt out or from enterprise-owned repositories.
- The data may be shared with GitHub affiliates, including Microsoft, but will not be shared with third-party AI model providers.
Community Sentiment
Concerns
- The default setting of enabling data usage for AI model training without explicit opt-in is deceptive, undermining user trust and raising ethical concerns.
- Copilot's lack of a feature to ignore sensitive files means users inadvertently expose critical data, which is a significant security risk.
- The shift towards using personal code as training data for commercial AI applications discourages open-source contributions, potentially stifling innovation.
- The opt-out approach for data usage feels exploitative, especially for paying users who expect more control over their data.
