OpenAI has adjusted its privacy policy for users in the United States. If you want to continue using services like ChatGPT or Codex, you must agree to them. What is particularly new is the first mention of “marketing partners” with whom the user’s data can be shared and for whom cookies can be set. This means that even when using other services, such as a social media app, personal data could be used, among other things, for advertising and identifying users.
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Since users of ChatGPT, among others, often share very personal information with the bot, OpenAI points out, according to a report by Wired, that content from the chats should not be passed on. The AI company literally writes about “targeted advertising”, which can also be found on the OpenAI website in the “US privacy policy”. For advertising partners, tracking should also enable targeted advertising in apps such as ChatGPT, which should be visually clearly separated from chat content.
Opt-out is possible
Wired reviewed the preferences in OpenAI apps with two free accounts and two paid accounts. Tracking was activated for free users under “Settings / Data Controls / Marketing Privacy”, and it was deactivated for “Plus” and “Enterprise” accounts. This is apparently an opt-out function that is activated by default for free users.
OpenAI had already announced at the beginning of 2026 that it would increasingly rely on advertising for cost reasons. In February, the company clarified its guidelines for this, particularly with regard to personal data from the apps. The new privacy policy is now the implementation of these projects. It is not yet clear whether and when corresponding functions will also be introduced in the European Union. Higher hurdles apply to personal data here, including due to the GDPR and the DSA.
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