OpenAI has launched Computer History, an optional ChatGPT feature that can build a searchable memory from what users do throughout selected apps and websites on their Mac. However, the feature additionally introduces some significant privacy considerations because the resulting memory files are stored locally as unencrypted text.
Computer History can record interaction events such as clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and switches between apps. ChatGPT and Codex can then use this information to assist users find things they previously worked on or remember past activity.
Your Memories Are Stored Without Encryption
One of the biggest privacy concerns is how the generated memories are stored.
OpenAI says Computer History creates Markdown files, essentially ordinary text documents, and keeps them on the user’s Mac until they are manually deleted or cleared. These files are not encrypted by Computer History.
That means software running under the same macOS user account could potentially access those files if it already has the necessary permissions.
The raw activity data is more temporary. OpenAI says temporary event files remain on the Mac for up to 48 hours. They are processed on OpenAI’s servers to generate memories, but the company states those temporary files are not retained afterwards except when legally required.
It Does Not Record Everything
Computer History does have some privacy limits.
OpenAI says it does not capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio. Users can also decide which apps and websites contribute information, pause collection, and review or delete their history.
The feature is opt-in rather than enabled automatically.
Training Has an Important Catch
OpenAI says Computer History memory files themselves are not employed to train its models.
However, if information from those memories afterwards appears as context inside a ChatGPT conversation, that conversation may still be used to improve OpenAI’s models depending on the user’s data-control settings.
OpenAI also warns that giving AI access to activity throughout apps can increase exposure to prompt injection, where malicious instructions hidden in content could influence an AI system.
Computer History could make ChatGPT considerably more useful for remembering past work, but it additionally means users are giving the assistant access to a much broader picture of their computer activity. For anyone handling sensitive personal, financial or work information, the app and website exclusion controls will be particularly important.
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