[ GLOSSARY ]
What is zero data retention?
Definition
Law and privacyZero data retention
Zero data retention (ZDR) is a setting or agreement under which an AI provider does not store prompts and responses after it answers.
Why it matters for schools
It is narrower than it sounds. Flagged content and legal holds can override it; OpenAI requires approval for ZDR, and Anthropic offers it by agreement and requires 30-day retention for certain models. On OpenRouter, excluding providers that store or train on prompts is a different setting from zero retention, which has its own flag and exclusions.
In Nexus
Our model router excludes providers that collect prompt data, and before a pilot we turn on zero-retention routing where it is offered.
[ FAQ ]
Questions and answers
Does zero data retention mean nothing is ever kept?
No. Flagged content and legal holds can override it.
Do OpenAI and Anthropic offer zero data retention?
OpenAI requires approval; Anthropic offers it by agreement, with 30-day retention required for certain models.
Is 'no data collection' the same as zero retention?
No. On OpenRouter, for example, they are separate settings.
[ SOURCES ]
Sources
Facts checked Oct 18, 2026.
- 1OpenAI, data controls in the APIRead Oct 18, 2026 · developers.openai.com
- 2Anthropic Privacy Center, how long organization data is storedJul 1, 2026 · privacy.claude.com
- 3OpenRouter, zero data retentionRead Oct 18, 2026 · openrouter.ai
- 4OpenRouter, provider routingRead Oct 18, 2026 · openrouter.ai
[ AI FOR SCHOOLS ]
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