Misryoum reports OpenAI updated privacy settings for free ChatGPT users, enabling marketing cookies by default while keeping chat content separate.
OpenAI is turning marketing cookies on by default for free users of ChatGPT, a shift that changes how it may track activity across the web to promote its services.
In an update shared with users in the US. Misryoum reports that OpenAI says it will use cookies to promote OpenAI products and services on third-party websites.. The company also emphasizes that this change does not affect the privacy of conversations inside ChatGPT. and that those chats are not shared with marketing partners.
For free users, the key point is that marketing-related tracking may start automatically. Misryoum notes that marketing settings appeared to be enabled by default for accounts with free access, while paid tiers were not reported to have the same default behavior.
This matters because the boundary between “private conversations” and “marketing measurement” can still feel blurred to users. Even when chat content remains separate, cookie-based identifiers can influence what ads you see and how companies assess whether those ads lead to sign-ups.
OpenAI’s update also expands the way it describes sharing personal data for promotional purposes.. Misryoum reports that it may share limited information with select marketing partners to promote services like ChatGPT and Codex outside OpenAI’s own platforms. potentially using identifiers linked to cookies or similar technologies.
At the same time, Misryoum says users can opt out through ChatGPT settings under Data Controls, specifically in the Marketing Privacy section. OpenAI’s message suggests the aim is to keep advertisements more relevant and to measure effectiveness, rather than to repurpose the content of user chats.
There’s also a broader product context behind this move: Misryoum reports OpenAI has been expanding advertising inside ChatGPT for some users and is working to develop its own ad delivery ecosystem around the service.
As Misryoum points out, these changes signal how quickly AI platforms are blending user experiences with advertising and measurement. For privacy-focused users, the practical takeaway is to check marketing permissions in settings, especially if you use the free version.