OpenAI · OpenAI Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Aggregate and De-Identified Data Use

Low severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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Recent governance activity OpenAI recorded 16 documented changes in the last 30 days.
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Document Record

What it is

OpenAI states it may convert your personal data into anonymized or aggregated form and then use or share that data for any purpose without restriction.

This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The policy authorizes unrestricted use and sharing of data described as de-identified or aggregated; the practical scope of this permission depends on whether the de-identification process meets technical and legal standards that prevent re-identification, which the document does not describe in detail.

Interpretive note: The practical scope of the 'any purpose' permission for de-identified data depends on whether the de-identification process meets applicable legal standards, which the document does not describe; applicable law may constrain this assertion if standards are not met.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 12, 2026

The updated policy removes language describing how OpenAI uses advertiser and data partner information to personalize ads and measure ad effectiveness. The policy also removes the specific mechanism Free and Go users previously had to control ad personalization through account settings. In exchange, the policy adds explicit authorization for OpenAI to identify which of a user's contacts use OpenAI services and to monitor all content submitted on the platform for fraud and misuse detection. The authorization to monitor content and identify contacts now appears in the main policy purposes section rather than in supplementary documentation. You can review the Korea Addendum if you are located in South Korea to understand region-specific privacy rules.

View change record →
Medium Jun 9, 2026

The updated policy removes language that previously described ad personalization controls available to Free and Go users through account settings, though the policy continues to authorize OpenAI to personalize ads and measure their effectiveness for these user tiers. Previously, the policy explicitly stated that 'For Free and Go users, you can use the advertising controls in your account settings to control what data we use to personalize the ads we show you on our Services.' This language is no longer present in the updated version. The policy still lists ad personalization as an authorized use of personal data for Free and Go users, but no longer explicitly describes how users can access controls to manage this practice. You should verify whether advertising controls remain functional in your OpenAI account settings, as the policy no longer explicitly references them.

View change record →
Medium May 27, 2026

The updated policy removes specific language stating that OpenAI receives advertiser data to personalize ads shown to Free and Go users. It also removes reference to account-level advertising controls previously described in account settings. These removals are replaced with broader language authorizing OpenAI to promote products through direct marketing and third-party properties, subject to choices and controls, but the terms no longer explicitly describe what advertiser data is collected, from whom, or how to manage it at the account level. The policy now requires users to follow a 'learn more' link to understand ad personalization controls, rather than documenting those controls directly in the privacy policy.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
May 12, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 3350 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The policy states that data derived from your personal information, once de-identified, may be used and shared without restriction or limitation; the adequacy of the de-identification method is not described in the policy text.

How other platforms handle this

Ledger Medium

At Ledger, earning and maintaining our users' trust is a top priority. That's why we are deeply committed not only to protecting your privacy and securing your personal data, but also to being fully transparent about how we handle it.

Garmin Medium

If you are located in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom, you have the right to access, correct, or erase your personal data; the right to restrict or object to our processing of your personal data; the right to data portability; and, where our processing is based on your...

Strava Medium

We use information to enhance the quality, reliability, and/or accuracy of our AI Features by creating, developing, training, testing, improving, and maintaining AI and ML models run by Strava or our service providers. We use aggregated, de-identified data for this purpose. We also use personal info...

See all platforms with this clause type →

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We may create aggregated, de-identified, or other anonymous data from your personal information. We make personal information into anonymous data by removing information that makes the data personally identifiable to you. We may use and share this anonymous data for any purpose.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: CCPA and CPRA define de-identified data and impose obligations to maintain de-identification, including prohibitions on attempting to re-identify the data and contractual requirements on recipients. The CPRA specifically requires that businesses implementing de-identification maintain technical and administrative measures to prevent re-identification and prohibit recipients from attempting re-identification. The FTC has published guidance on the adequacy of de-identification methods. HIPAA's de-identification standards (Expert Determination and Safe Harbor methods) are not referenced in this provision, which may be relevant if health-related information is submitted through OpenAI services. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: Medium. The policy's statement that de-identified data may be used 'for any purpose' is conditional on the adequacy of the de-identification process, which is not described. If de-identification is insufficient to meet the CPRA's technical standard, downstream uses of that data may still constitute processing of personal information subject to consumer rights. JURISDICTION FLAGS: California CPRA imposes specific obligations on businesses that create and use de-identified data, including contractual flow-down requirements and re-identification prohibitions. These obligations apply regardless of the consumer-facing 'any purpose' language if CPRA's de-identification standard is not met. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Enterprise customers whose data may contribute to de-identified datasets should assess whether their data processing agreements with OpenAI include representations about the adequacy of de-identification methods and restrictions on how de-identified data derived from their users' submissions may be used. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Legal teams should assess whether the de-identification methods applied to user data meet CPRA's technical standards and whether the 'any purpose' language is constrained by those standards in practice. Data mapping documentation should distinguish between personal data subject to user rights and de-identified derivative data, with annotations on the de-identification methodology used.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has published guidance on de-identification standards and has authority to assess whether claimed de-identification adequately protects consumer data under Section 5 of the FTC Act.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Colorado AI Act
US-CO
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
EU AI Act - High Risk Provisions
EU
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
UK GDPR
United Kingdom
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Privacy Policy
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 12, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-011509
Document ID
CA-D-00010
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
e7d3ae1b9a38038435c94dab99b33a7d5dea6d69b6f8181c5120d571f048984f
Analysis generated
May 12, 2026 10:58 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-011509
Captured: 2026-05-12 10:58:58 UTC
SHA-256: e7d3ae1b9a380384…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/aggregate-and-de-identified-data-use/
Accessed: July 4, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Low
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Aggregate and De-Identified Data Use clause do?

The policy authorizes unrestricted use and sharing of data described as de-identified or aggregated; the practical scope of this permission depends on whether the de-identification process meets technical and legal standards that prevent re-identification, which the document does not describe in detail.

How does this clause affect you?

The policy states that data derived from your personal information, once de-identified, may be used and shared without restriction or limitation; the adequacy of the de-identification method is not described in the policy text.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.