OpenAI has discontinued a feature in ChatGPT that allowed users to make their conversations discoverable by search engines like Google. This decision was made in response to privacy concerns, as the feature led to unintended sharing of personal information.
The feature, which was optional, required users to actively opt in by selecting a chat to share and enabling it to be indexed by search engines. However, many users inadvertently shared sensitive information, including personal details and internal business data, which became publicly accessible online.
OpenAI acknowledged the issue and stated that the feature introduced too many opportunities for users to accidentally share information they did not intend to. The company is working with search engines to remove the already indexed content from the web.
This incident highlights the challenges in balancing the benefits of sharing information with the need to protect user privacy. OpenAI's swift response underscores the importance of user trust and the company's commitment to safeguarding personal data.