OpenAI updated its policy on handling users' personal data in ChatGPT, removing unnecessary loud changes.

OpenAI’s New Rules for ChatGPT Users in the United States

On the last day of April, the company released an updated user agreement that takes effect immediately for all ChatGPT customers located in the United States. It details how personal data from tens of millions of users will be processed, stored, and transmitted.

1. Advertising Platform
* Official statement – a previously tested mechanism has become a full-featured function.
* Free-tier users and subscribers to the *ChatGPT Go* plan ($8/month) agree that their conversations will be analyzed for targeted advertising.
* Algorithms consider query history and ad views. Advertisers receive only aggregated click and conversion data; they do not see individual user messages.
* The feature is no longer in “beta” mode and now operates commercially.

2. Address Book Upload
Users can upload their contact list to the chatbot to find ChatGPT subscribers among them. OpenAI gains access to information even for contacts who are not themselves users, and those contacts have no right to opt out. This allows the company to build a social graph for each user.

3. Differences in Data‑Processing Policies
* United States – OpenAI may share some data with marketing partners for advertising purposes.
* EU and the rest of the world – such transfers are not permitted; data remains localized.

4. Feedback from Advertisers
Partners can receive statistics on purchases made by users after clicking ad links. This information is used to evaluate campaign effectiveness.

5. Data Retention Periods
* User‑deleted data is purged after 30 days.
* Temporary sessions are automatically deleted.
* Exceptions:
* Financial transactions, illegal activity, or harassment – retention periods are extended.
* If OpenAI’s policy is violated, data may be retained indefinitely for further investigation.

6. Storage of Data in a Secure Facility
In response to The New York Times lawsuit, all user data from April through September 2025 is stored on a specially protected site that only security and legal specialists at OpenAI can access.

Conclusion
American ChatGPT users should remember: without more expensive plans, the company gains greater freedom over their data, including contact list information. Heightened advertising may also affect corporate clients, who will now encounter promotions from third‑party advertisers.