New ChatGPT Feature Collects Every Keystroke You Make

OpenAI has introduced a new feature called Computer History for ChatGPT's desktop application on macOS. This feature allows ChatGPT to track clicks, keystrokes, and other activities on the user's computer, in order to improve its AI model. The feature, as explained by OpenAI product and engineering manager Ari Weinstein, enables ChatGPT to create a timeline of user actions, assisting the AI in suggesting tasks, skills, and automations.

The extent of data access is extensive, as demonstrated by a demo where ChatGPT could identify a recently viewed Google Doc and check messages within a group chat. OpenAI stressed that the feature is opt-in rather than opt-out, and it automatically disregards content in incognito mode or private tabs, while also providing an option to blacklist specific apps.

Furthermore, users can view the AI's "memory" database and remove any unwanted data. However, the feature raises significant privacy concerns, as it could potentially enable the AI to access sensitive information, even if users are unaware that certain messages are being scanned across platforms like Slack. Comparisons were drawn to Microsoft's Windows Recall, which faced controversy due to its screenshot-taking capabilities and lack of encryption.

OpenAI addressed these concerns by informing users that Computer History files aren't encrypted and could be accessible to other programs running on the user's macOS system.