How ChatCache handles your data
ChatCache is a browser extension that reads the ChatGPT conversation currently displayed in your browser tab. It does not connect to the OpenAI API, does not access your account, and has no visibility into conversations you have not opened.
The processing model differs by export format:
| Format | Where processed | Data leaves device? |
|---|---|---|
| Markdown | Local (browser) | No |
| TXT | Local (browser) | No |
| HTML | Local (browser) | No |
| JSON | Local (browser) | No |
| CSV | Local (browser) | No |
| PNG | Local (browser) | No |
| Server-side render | Yes — not stored after delivery |
The PDF export exception
PDF generation requires server-side rendering because browsers cannot natively produce paginated PDF files with correct typography and code formatting. ChatCache routes PDF exports through a secure rendering API:
- The conversation is sent to the rendering API to generate the PDF
- The PDF file is returned to your browser immediately
- No conversation data is logged or retained after delivery
If your conversation contains sensitive personal or business data and you are concerned about any server transmission, use Markdown or HTML instead — both preserve full formatting and run entirely locally.
What ChatCache does not access
- Your OpenAI account credentials — ChatCache never touches your login or password
- Other open browser tabs — the extension only reads the active chatgpt.com page
- Conversations you haven't opened — ChatCache only sees what is rendered on screen
- Your device files — ChatCache cannot read files outside the browser
ChatCache uses no analytics trackers and collects no usage data from your conversations.
Privacy first. Six formats export with zero data leaving your browser — your conversations stay on your device.
Add to Chrome, FreeOpenAI's own data handling
The privacy of the export tool is separate from ChatGPT's own data practices. ChatGPT may use your conversations for model training depending on your account settings and plan. ChatCache does not change ChatGPT's data handling — it only gives you a way to save a copy of conversations that have already been processed by OpenAI.
Frequently asked questions
Does ChatCache upload my conversations to a server?
For six of the seven export formats — Markdown, TXT, HTML, JSON, CSV, and PNG — the export runs entirely in your browser. No conversation data leaves your device. PDF export uses a server-side rendering step to produce the PDF file, but no data is stored after the file is returned.
Is it safe to export conversations that contain sensitive information?
For local formats (Markdown, TXT, HTML, JSON, CSV, PNG), yes — the data stays in your browser. For PDF, the conversation is sent to ChatCache's rendering API. If your conversation contains highly sensitive personal or business data, use a local format instead of PDF.
Does ChatCache have access to my OpenAI account?
No. ChatCache is a browser extension that reads the conversation visible on the chatgpt.com page. It does not connect to the OpenAI API, does not access your account credentials, and does not have any access to conversations you haven't opened.
What happens to conversation data after a PDF export?
The conversation data is sent to ChatCache's rendering API to generate the PDF, and the file is returned immediately. No conversation data is logged, stored, or retained after the PDF is delivered.
Does exporting a ChatGPT conversation violate OpenAI's terms of service?
OpenAI's terms permit personal use of conversation content. Exporting your own conversations for personal archiving, reference, or sharing is consistent with standard personal use. ChatCache does not modify ChatGPT's behavior or bypass any OpenAI security measures.