Delete your data.
UPDATED 2026-08-01Three deletion levels, each with its own path.
**Delete a single chat**: open the chat, three-dot menu, Delete. Soft-deleted immediately (removed from your sidebar). Permanently deleted from our systems within 24 hours, from backups within 30 days.
**Delete an entire project**: Settings → Projects → the project → Delete Project. This deletes the project itself, all chats inside it, and all attached files. Same soft-delete and permanent-delete timelines as above.
**Delete your whole account**: Settings → Account → Delete Account. This is one confirmation step (no retention offer, no dark pattern). Your subscription is cancelled immediately, your account and all associated chats/projects/files are soft-deleted, and everything is permanently deleted from live systems within 30 days. Encrypted backup rotation completes the deletion within 90 days.
Once deleted, chats cannot be restored. If you want a copy first, export from Settings → Data → Export (see the exports help article) before deleting.
Anthropic's separate retention window on inference traffic applies to any chats they processed. Their published policy governs that timeline; deleting your LADLE account does not accelerate their side of it.
If you're deleting to comply with a GDPR or CCPA "right to be forgotten" request from an ex-employer or ex-partner: the same self-service path above satisfies it. If you need a data-processing record confirming the deletion for compliance, email privacy@ladle.chat with your account email and we'll send a signed confirmation once the deletion completes.