OpenAI has introduced a new macOS feature called Computer History, allowing ChatGPT to remember aspects of how users work across their computers. The optional feature is designed to help users recover information about previous activity, including files, documents, websites and tasks they may have worked on earlier.

The feature could be particularly useful for people who regularly switch between multiple applications and browser tabs. A user could ask ChatGPT what they were working on the previous day, where they stopped on a coding project or which document they had edited, with the system using stored activity history to help locate the relevant context.

However, the expanded capability also raises questions about privacy, data access and the use of such tools on workplace computers.

How Computer History Works

According to OpenAI, Computer History records interaction events from applications and websites to help ChatGPT understand a user's previous computer activity.

The company says the feature does not continuously capture screenshots or record audio. Instead, it can collect activity such as clicks, typing and switching between applications.

OpenAI executive Dominik Kundel said Computer History “doesn’t rely on screen or audio capture”.

Different From Microsoft Recall

OpenAI's approach differs from Microsoft's controversial Recall feature, which was designed to periodically capture screenshots of activity on Windows PCs.

Computer History is also separate from OpenAI's earlier Chronicle experiment, which used screen captures and optical character recognition to create a record of computer activity.

The company has also clarified that Computer History is different from Record & Replay, which allows ChatGPT and Codex users to demonstrate workflows that can subsequently be turned into reusable skills.

Users Can Control the Feature

Computer History is optional and remains disabled until users choose to activate it.

Mac users can exclude specific applications and websites from being included in their history. OpenAI has also introduced a menu bar control that allows users to pause the feature.

The company says the collected history is stored locally on the user's Mac. Users can inspect the information that has been recorded and delete it when required.

Privacy Concerns Remain

Local storage may provide users with greater control, but it does not eliminate all privacy concerns.

Computer History is designed to give ChatGPT access to a much broader picture of a user's digital activity than conventional conversation memory. That raises questions about how information derived from computer activity is used when ChatGPT responds to questions about previous work.

The issue could be particularly important for employees using company-managed Macs. Organisations may have separate policies governing monitoring, data access and the use of AI tools on workplace devices.

Users may therefore need to understand their company's policies before enabling Computer History on a work computer.

AI Agents Could Benefit

OpenAI also sees Computer History as a potential foundation for more capable AI agents.

By understanding how users perform tasks on their computers, future agents could potentially identify recurring workflows and help automate them.

Users could, for example, ask an agent to create a reusable skill from a task they have just completed or help prepare a regular team update based on their established workflow.

This could move ChatGPT beyond simply answering questions and towards becoming an assistant that understands how people actually work.

Who Gets Access

Computer History is rolling out to Pro, Business and Enterprise customers.

OpenAI says the feature is being introduced globally, although customers in the European Economic Area, UK and Switzerland are expected to receive access in the coming weeks.

Because the feature is optional, users who do not want to give ChatGPT broader access to their computer activity can choose not to enable it.

Convenience vs Privacy

Computer History represents a significant expansion of ChatGPT's ability to understand a user's digital context.

For people who frequently lose track of files, browser tabs or unfinished projects, the feature could save time by helping recover previously completed work.

At the same time, the wider access makes privacy controls particularly important. Users will need to consider which applications and websites should be included, how their history is stored and when it should be deleted.

For now, OpenAI's decision to make Computer History optional gives users the final choice over whether ChatGPT gets this broader window into their digital activity.

ChatGPT users in India could soon notice a new element alongside their AI-generated answers — advertisements. Some Indian users have reportedly received emails from OpenAI regarding updates to its Privacy Policy that include information about advertising on ChatGPT.

However, OpenAI has not officially confirmed the launch of ChatGPT ads in India. The company's latest public update says ads have expanded to the UK, Mexico, Brazil, Japan and South Korea, while its current information on advertising availability does not list India as an active ad market. (OpenAI)

The development nevertheless signals that OpenAI is continuing to expand its advertising system internationally.

Privacy Policy Gets an Update

OpenAI has updated its privacy information to explain how advertising works on ChatGPT and how users can manage their advertising experience.

The company has said its advertising model is designed around three key principles — independent answers, conversation privacy and user control.

OpenAI's stated policy is that advertisements should remain separate from ChatGPT's responses and should be clearly identified as sponsored content. (OpenAI)

Which Users Can See Ads?

OpenAI's current advertising model is aimed primarily at users on the Free and Go plans.

According to the company's official information, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Education users will not see ads. Ads are also not shown to accounts where the user says they are under 18 or where OpenAI predicts that the user is under 18. (OpenAI)

The advertising pilot originally began in the US in February 2026 before being expanded to additional markets. (OpenAI)

How Will ChatGPT Ads Appear?

OpenAI says advertisements appear separately from ChatGPT's answer rather than being incorporated into the AI-generated response.

The company's current ad format places sponsored content below ChatGPT responses. Ads are identified with advertiser information and are visually separated from the organic answer. (OpenAI Help Center)

For example, a user researching a product or comparing services could potentially see a sponsored recommendation below the response.

Will Ads Influence AI Answers?

This is one of the key questions surrounding ChatGPT's advertising model.

OpenAI says ads do not influence the answers ChatGPT provides. The company states that responses are optimised according to what is considered most helpful to the user, while advertisements remain separate and clearly labelled. (OpenAI)

This distinction is particularly important because ChatGPT is increasingly being used not only for general searches but also for product research, comparisons and purchasing decisions.

What About User Conversations?

OpenAI says advertisers do not receive users' private conversations or chat history.

According to the company's advertising principles, conversations remain private from advertisers and user data is not sold to advertisers. Advertisers instead receive aggregated information about advertising performance. (OpenAI)

OpenAI also says users can control advertising personalisation and can clear information used for ads.

Why Is OpenAI Introducing Ads?

Advertising gives OpenAI another potential source of revenue while allowing the company to continue offering a free and lower-cost version of ChatGPT.

OpenAI has previously said that maintaining broad access to ChatGPT requires significant infrastructure and ongoing investment. The company says advertising can help support access to its services without changing how ChatGPT works. (OpenAI Help Center)

The company is also building a broader advertising platform. In May 2026, OpenAI announced additional tools for advertisers, including CPC bidding and expanded campaign measurement. (OpenAI)

What Indian Users Should Know

For Indian users, the key point is that a nationwide ChatGPT advertising launch has not yet been officially announced by OpenAI.

The company is continuing to expand its advertising pilot into new markets, and India could become part of that expansion in the future. OpenAI's presence in India is already significant: the company said in February 2026 that India had more than 100 million weekly ChatGPT users. (OpenAI)

If advertising is eventually introduced for Indian users, Free and Go users are the groups most likely to encounter sponsored content under OpenAI's current model, while the company's listed paid and organisational plans remain ad-free.

For now, reports of emails received by Indian users should therefore be viewed as an indication of potential preparation or policy changes, not confirmation that ChatGPT ads have officially launched across India.

WhatsApp is rolling out a new Username feature that will let people start chats without sharing their mobile numbers. The company has already opened username reservations globally, and the rollout will expand gradually across countries over the coming months.

The feature is aimed at improving privacy and making it easier to connect with new people, such as classmates, neighbours, event contacts, or parents in school and sports groups. WhatsApp says the change is not meant to work like Instagram or X, because usernames will not be public or searchable in a directory.

How it works

Users will be able to create a unique username made up of 3 to 35 characters using lowercase letters, numbers, dots and underscores. Once set, the username can be changed or removed later if needed. New contacts will be able to message a user through the username instead of seeing the phone number.

WhatsApp says existing chats will not be affected. People who already have your number saved will continue to chat with you as before, while the phone number will still be required to create and use the account.

Privacy and safety

The company will not provide a public username search or suggestion system, so someone can contact you only if they know your exact username. WhatsApp is also introducing an optional Username Key, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a special key before someone can start a first-time chat.

This extra step is designed to reduce spam and unwanted messages. Blocking, reporting and end-to-end encryption will remain unchanged under the new system.

For creators and businesses

WhatsApp says creators, businesses and organisations will be able to use the same username across WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook wherever available. Some high-profile usernames tied to celebrities or major brands may be reserved to prevent impersonation.

For businesses, the feature could make customer communication easier without exposing personal contact details. For users, the biggest change is simple: new conversations may soon begin with a username instead of a phone number.