> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://assemblyai.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data Controls

The [**Data Controls** page](https://www.assemblyai.com/dashboard/settings/data-controls) in the AssemblyAI dashboard lets you manage how AssemblyAI retains and uses your data. From a single page you can opt out of the model improvement program, set a time-to-live (TTL) for your audio and transcripts, and review and sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

The page always reflects the **current state of your account** so you can see, at a glance, your model-improvement opt-out status, your active data-retention (TTL) setting, and whether a BAA is in place.

<Note>
  All three of these controls — opt out, TTL, and BAA — are available **self-serve at no additional cost**. You can manage them directly from the dashboard without contacting sales or support.
</Note>

## Who can access Data Controls

<Info>
  You must be on a **paid plan** to access Data Controls. Free users cannot opt out of the model improvement program, set a TTL, or sign a BAA. To access these settings, [upgrade to a paid plan](https://www.assemblyai.com/dashboard/pricing).
</Info>

Only members with the **Owner** or **Admin** role can view and change Data Controls settings. Members with the **Reader** role do not have access to this page. For more on roles and permissions, see [Account Management](/account-management#roles).

## Opt out of the model improvement program

Toggle **Opt Out of Data Sharing for Model Improvement Program** to control whether AssemblyAI may use your Customer Data to train its models. When you opt out, at this time:

* AssemblyAI will not use your Customer Data to train its artificial intelligence and machine learning models.
* AssemblyAI will not use your Customer Data to perform benchmarking.
* AssemblyAI will not use your Deidentified Data to train its artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

Opt-out changes are forward-looking only and apply to subsequent new requests.

For full details on how model training works, see [Data retention and model training](/data-retention-and-model-training#model-training).

## Set a time-to-live for audio and transcripts

The **time-to-live (TTL)** mechanism controls how long AssemblyAI retains your audio and transcripts in the asynchronous production environment. When you set a TTL, AssemblyAI begins the deletion process for your audio and transcripts at the set TTL time. **This TTL also applies to the inputs and outputs of LLM Gateway.** Certain metadata is stored for logging and billing purposes.

You can choose a preset (1 day, 3 days, 7 days, or 30 days) or set a **Custom** value. Any changes are applied to subsequent new requests.

For more detail, including information on potential TTL deletion lag times, see [Data retention and model training](/data-retention-and-model-training#data-retention).

## Business Associate Agreement (BAA)

AssemblyAI enables covered entities and their business associates subject to HIPAA to use the AssemblyAI services to process protected health information (PHI). If you need a BAA in place to process PHI, you can review and sign AssemblyAI's standard online BAA terms directly from the Data Controls page.

The page shows your current BAA status (for example, **Not signed**). To execute a BAA, select **Review & sign BAA** and complete the online signing flow.

### How signing a BAA affects your opt-out status

<Warning>
  Once you have signed a BAA, you are **automatically opted out** of the model improvement program upon signature, and the **opt-out toggle can no longer be changed**. AssemblyAI does not use files submitted under a BAA for model training.
</Warning>

Signing a BAA also changes your default data retention behavior. For BAA-specific retention timelines, see the [asynchronous production environment](/data-retention-and-model-training#asynchronous-production-environment) and [LLM Gateway](/data-retention-and-model-training#llm-gateway-production-environment) retention tables.

## Related resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Data retention and model training" icon="shield-halved" href="/data-retention-and-model-training">
    Learn how AssemblyAI handles data retention, encryption, model training, and compliance.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account Management" icon="users" href="/account-management#roles">
    Understand roles and permissions, including who can access Data Controls.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>