Learn how Upwork uses and protects your data for AI, your opt-out options, and how privacy, security, and global data laws are upheld.
In this article
- How do I set my AI preferences?
- How do I benefit by sharing my information to help train Upwork's AI models?
- What if I opt in to sharing my data to train Upwork AI models, but then change my mind later?
- What happens if I opt out of sharing my data with Upwork’s AI?
- What happens if the person I’m working with on Upwork opts out of sharing their data with your AI model?
- Is my data shared with third parties?
- What safeguards are in place to protect sensitive or confidential content?
- Is Upwork using customer data to train AI models as a way to monetize users or drive advertising?
- Does Upwork sell my data?
- How can I request deletion of all my data on Upwork?
- Can I request a copy of the data Upwork has collected about me for AI training purposes?
How do I set my AI preferences?
You always have the freedom to decide whether your Upwork data is used to train and improve the AI models that personalize your experience on Upwork. To set your preference:
If you are a freelancer:
On desktop:
- Go to Account settings > Profile settings
- Find the AI preferences section
- Select Change preference and make your selections
On mobile:
- Tap Settings in the app
- Go to Profile settings
- Adjust your AI preference
If you are a client:
On desktop:
- Go to Account settings > My info
- Find the AI preferences section
- Select Change preference and make your selections
On mobile:
- Tap Settings in the app
- Go to Profile settings
- Adjust your AI preference
How do I benefit by sharing my information to help train Upwork's AI models?
By training a model for you based on your unique content, we can deliver more personalized, efficient, and intelligent experiences to you on Upwork.
If you’re a client, current and expected future benefits include:
- Faster, more relevant talent matches based on your past communication and project needs
- Higher-quality, AI-generated work offers and milestones that reflect your preferences
- Automated first-pass validation to ensure freelancers’ work deliverables meet your needs
- Suggested messaging responses written in your tone and style, better reflecting your brand
- Detailed, automated project status and tools that can detect at-risk engagements early
- Suggestions for next projects or hires based on previous work
If you’re a freelancer, current and expected future benefits include:
- AI-generated draft proposals and messaging support, personalized to your tone and style
- Profile improvement suggestions based on your past work and outcomes
- Interview feedback and real-time suggestions for client conversations
- Automated first-pass validation to ensure your work deliverables meet your client needs
- Earlier identification of project risks or communication issues, so you can keep your project on track
What if I opt in to sharing my data to train Upwork AI models, but then change my mind later?
If you opt out after previously being opted in, any content shared during the opted-in period may still be used to train Upwork’s AI models. Any content you create or share after opting out will not be included.
What happens if I opt out of sharing my data with Upwork’s AI?
Your data won’t be used to help train Upwork’s AI models — which means you won’t benefit from personalized, AI-powered features designed to support your experience. In the future, certain features may be unavailable to you, but you can choose to opt back in at any time to enable these features.
What happens if the person I’m working with on Upwork opts out of sharing their data with your AI model?
When it comes to communications data and work product data, we require both you and the freelancer or client you are working with to be opted in. If either of you has opted out, none of the communication data or work product exchanged between you will be included. This ensures your data preferences are respected equally.
Is my data shared with third parties?
Customer data is only shared with third parties in limited, controlled ways and not for training third-party AI models. For example, we work with trusted third parties in order to provide our services as described in the Information Sharing and Disclosure section of our Privacy Policy.
To power AI features, we may need to share customer data with technology partners including AWS and OpenAI. These partners operate under strict contractual agreements that ensure:
- Customer data is never used to train their models
- Customer data is not shared beyond what’s necessary to provide services on Upwork
- Access is limited and tightly controlled
What safeguards are in place to protect sensitive or confidential content?
We take data privacy seriously and have implemented multiple safeguards to ensure user content is handled responsibly:
- We anonymize or de-identify data whenever possible and use only what’s necessary to improve platform features
- Customer data is not used to train third-party AI models
- We work exclusively with partners under strict data protection agreements
- Our systems and practices are built to comply with global privacy laws and reflect our commitment to responsible data stewardship
- Privacy is built into our product development process from the start
We make decisions about how we design, build, and deploy AI with Upwork’s Mindful AI Principles as our guide. That means creating tools that are human-centered—built to support people, not replace them—and ensuring accountability always rests with people, not machines. We treat user data responsibly, with care and intention. We’re transparent about where and how AI is used, and we aim to earn trust by actively listening to feedback and evolving our approach over time.
Is Upwork using customer data to train AI models as a way to monetize users or drive advertising?
No. We do not use customer data for advertising, and we are not monetizing user content through third-party partnerships or ad targeting. Any data used to fine-tune our AI models is solely to enhance our customers’ experience on Upwork.
Does Upwork sell my data?
No. We share data with trusted partners to help power certain aspects of our platform, but we do not sell your data.
How can I request deletion of all my data on Upwork?
We value our users’ privacy and their rights to control their personal data. Depending on your location, you may have the legal right to request the deletion of all personal information we have about you at any time. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.
Can I request a copy of the data Upwork has collected about me for AI training purposes?
Yes, learn how to submit a request in our Privacy Policy.