{
  "id": 2247503,
  "title": "ChatGPT can now control Apple’s iMessage, potentially raising privacy concerns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/chatgpt-can-now-control-apples-imessage-potentially-raising-privacy",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-20T23:18:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
    "slug": "the-business-times-companies-markets",
    "url": "https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/telcos-media-tech/chatgpt-can-now-control-apples-imessage-potentially-raising-privacy-concerns"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "OpenAI has introduced a new feature on Thursday that allows ChatGPT to control Apple's iMessage service via Mac, potentially raising privacy concerns for iPhone maker. This move comes at a time of tension between the two companies, with Apple recently suing OpenAI for allegedly stealing information about upcoming products. OpenAI stresses that the feature requires user consent and does not create an index of all of someone's messages. When a user first sets up the integration, a permissions screen appears in ChatGPT, informing the user that the computer's on-device message history will be accessed by the app. Users must also change privacy-related preferences within the Mac's System Settings app, enabling a feature named Full Disk Access and granting ChatGPT permission to access contact names and automation tools. OpenAI runs the tool locally on the Mac and uses operating system tools like AppleScript and Accessibility to work with the Messages app. While the new feature may infringe upon Apple's territory, as seen in Apple's blocking of similar apps in the past, it still requires users to approve the data sharing.",
  "summary": "OpenAI stresses that it requires a user’s consent to access information",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "ChatGPT update adds Apple Messages integration on Mac",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/chatgpt-update-adds-apple-messages-integration-on-mac",
        "published": "2026-08-20T17:59:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TechCrunch",
        "title": "ChatGPT can now send texts for you with new Apple Messages plugin",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/chatgpt-can-now-send-texts-for-you-with-new-apple-messages-plugin",
        "published": "2026-08-20T22:09:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}