Can github copilot be used WITHOUT exporting your code to github?

Is this possible?

I want to use copilot and API but I want to make sure that my proprietary code will never be accessed.

This question has nothing specifically to do with VB.NET. Thread moved.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmcilhinney

This question has nothing specifically to do with VB.NET. Thread moved.

---

This is what Chat GPT said

So basically yes. But I need someone more experienced.


Can I use github copilot without exporting any code to github
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, you can use GitHub Copilot without exporting any code to GitHub. Here’s how:

Local Development
Private Repositories or Local Projects: You can use GitHub Copilot with private repositories or local projects stored on your machine. Your code does not need to be shared with GitHub or any external source.
IDE Integration: Copilot works within your IDE, such as Visual Studio Code or other supported editors, and generates code suggestions based on the context of your local files.
Privacy Considerations
Code Sharing with GitHub: While using Copilot, snippets of your code may be sent to GitHub servers to provide contextual suggestions. However, this process doesn’t upload or save your code permanently on GitHub.
Disable Telemetry: To enhance privacy, you can configure settings in your IDE to limit or disable telemetry data sharing with GitHub.
Copilot for Business
If you are concerned about privacy, GitHub offers a Copilot for Business plan, which provides enhanced privacy features, including:

Excluding your code from being used to train Copilot models.
Admin controls for managing privacy settings.
Summary
You can safely use GitHub Copilot without exporting code to GitHub, provided you are comfortable with how GitHub handles snippets of your code for generating suggestions. For maximum control, review Copilot's privacy and data usage policy.






You said:
What is telematry
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Telemetry refers to the automatic collection, transmission, and analysis of data from remote systems, devices, or software. In the context of software and tools like GitHub Copilot, telemetry involves gathering information about how the tool is used to help developers improve it and understand usage patterns.

What Does Telemetry Collect in Development Tools?
Telemetry in development tools might include:

Usage Metrics:
How often features are used.
Frequency of key commands or shortcuts.
Performance Data:
How long certain operations take.
Errors or crashes encountered during use.
Contextual Data (Limited to providing suggestions in Copilot):
Code snippets surrounding your cursor for generating relevant suggestions.
Feedback on whether suggestions were accepted, rejected, or modified.
Is Telemetry a Privacy Concern?
It depends on the implementation:

Anonymized Data: Many tools anonymize telemetry data to ensure it cannot be traced back to individual users or their projects.
Opt-in/Opt-out Options: Many software platforms allow users to disable telemetry if they are concerned about privacy.
Telemetry in GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot uses some telemetry to improve its suggestion engine:

Snippets of code may be sent to GitHub’s servers for processing suggestions, but these are not permanently stored or shared.
Copilot users can often control what is shared through their editor settings.
How to Manage Telemetry
Check the Documentation: Review the privacy policy and telemetry documentation of the tool.
Adjust Settings:
In Visual Studio Code: Go to Settings > Telemetry and modify the telemetry settings.
For GitHub Copilot: Check the configuration options for privacy and data usage.
Use Offline Modes (if supported): Some tools allow you to disable remote data processing entirely.
Summary
Telemetry helps developers improve tools by understanding how users interact with them. However, you should always review the data being collected and adjust settings to match your privacy preferences.






You said:
I use visual studio community. What should I do
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Memory updated
To manage telemetry settings in Visual Studio Community, follow these steps:

1. Review Visual Studio Privacy Settings
Open Visual Studio Community.
Navigate to Tools > Options.
Go to the Privacy & Security section under Environment.
2. Disable Telemetry (Optional)
In the Privacy & Security settings, you'll find options to opt out of data collection, such as:
Disabling the Send usage data to Microsoft checkbox.
Turning off Enable crash reporting if you prefer not to share crash data.
3. Control GitHub Copilot Settings
If you're using GitHub Copilot in Visual Studio:
Go to Tools > Options.
Locate the GitHub Copilot section (it might be under a GitHub or Extensions category).
Adjust settings to limit data sharing, such as disabling specific features or contextual data sharing.
4. Check the Documentation
Microsoft provides detailed privacy statements for Visual Studio Community.
For GitHub Copilot, review its privacy policy.
Summary
By managing these settings, you can reduce or disable telemetry while still enjoying the features of Visual Studio Community and GitHub Copilot. Let me know if you need further assistance!






You said:
But anything I shared to github will NOT be shared to normal guys right? It'll just be analyzed by robots and that's it
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Yes, that's correct! Anything you share to GitHub will not be publicly accessible unless you explicitly choose to make it public. Here's how it works:

When Using GitHub and GitHub Copilot:
Private Repositories:

If your repository is private, only you and collaborators you add can access the code.
GitHub Copilot may use snippets of your code to generate suggestions, but this process is automated, and the data is analyzed by algorithms (robots), not by human reviewers.
Data Handling by Copilot:

Snippets sent to Copilot for suggestion generation are processed in real-time and not stored permanently.
GitHub ensures that other Copilot users do not receive suggestions based on your private code.
Public Repositories:

Public repositories are visible to anyone on the internet. If your repository is public, it can be indexed and viewed by others, but this is your choice.
Privacy Features in GitHub Copilot:
GitHub Copilot does not use your private code to train its AI models.
The suggestions you receive are generated on-the-fly based on context and are not shared with other users.
Key Considerations:
Always double-check your repository settings when creating or uploading a project to GitHub.
If you’re working on sensitive or proprietary projects, keep them in private repositories and restrict access to trusted collaborators.
GitHub Copilot processes code snippets securely and does not make your code available to others.
In summary, your code remains private unless you choose otherwise, and anything processed by Copilot is analyzed solely by its algorithms, not humans.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frompython

Is this possible?

I want to use copilot and API but I want to make sure that my proprietary code will never be accessed.

---

Yes, you can use GitHub Copilot without exporting your code to GitHub. It runs locally in your IDE, and your proprietary code isn’t stored or accessed unless you upload it. Copilot sends snippets to their servers for suggestions, so review their data policies if needed.