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OpenAI's new Computer History feature allows users to record their computer interactions across apps and websites, raising concerns about surveillance and privacy. The feature may be useful for improving ChatGPT responses, but it also raises questions about the balance between convenience and security.
OpenAI has introduced Computer History, a feature that records user interactions across apps and websites to improve ChatGPT responses.Events captured by Computer History include clicks, typing, and app switches, but do not include screen images, microphone input, or private-mode browsing.Events are sent to OpenAI's servers to generate memories, which may be stored locally and used in future chats.There are concerns about prompt injection attacks and potential use of user data for AI model training.OpenAI advises users to turn off Computer History during private communications and exclude sensitive apps.The feature raises questions about surveillance, privacy, and the balance between convenience and security.
OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot, has introduced a new feature called Computer History, which allows users to record their computer interactions across apps and websites. This feature is designed to improve ChatGPT responses, surface opportunities for automation, and make it easier to resume prior work. However, the introduction of Computer History has raised concerns about surveillance and privacy.
According to OpenAI's documentation, Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites. Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. The AI biz makes a point of noting that Computer History does not capture screen images, microphone input, or system audio. Nor does it capture private-mode browsing.
However, the feature does send events to OpenAI's servers to generate memories, and those may be stored locally for longer periods of time and may be used in future chats that get passed back to OpenAI. This has raised concerns about the potential for prompt injection attacks, which could allow malicious instructions to be injected into the chatbot.
OpenAI has stated that it does not retain those event files after processing unless required by law and does not use them for training. However, the company has provided chat logs in response to legal process in the past. This has raised questions about the potential for OpenAI to use user data for other purposes, such as training its AI models.
The introduction of Computer History has also raised questions about the balance between privacy and convenience. While the feature may be useful for users who want to improve their ChatGPT experience, it also raises concerns about the potential for surveillance and data collection.
In response to these concerns, OpenAI has advised users to turn off Computer History during communications with other people unless they have their prior express consent. The company has also suggested that users consider pausing or excluding apps that contain sensitive health, financial, or personal information.
The use of tokens during the summarization of activities and the creation of memory data also adds cost to the feature, and it expands the prompt injection attack surface. This has raised concerns about the potential for malicious actors to exploit this feature for their own purposes.
In conclusion, the introduction of Computer History by OpenAI has raised important questions about surveillance, privacy, and the balance between convenience and security. While the feature may be useful for users who want to improve their ChatGPT experience, it also raises concerns about the potential for data collection and surveillance.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/OpenAIs-Computer-History-A-Surveillance-Tool-with-a-Twist-ehn.shtml
https://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/08/14/openai-ditches-recall-style-screenshot-surveillance-for-friendly-keylogging/5287618
Published: Sat Aug 15 20:50:33 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
