OpenAI · OpenAI Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Automated Data Collection and Tracking Technologies

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

What it is

OpenAI automatically collects technical information about your device, browser, IP address, and browsing behaviour using cookies and tracking technologies whenever you use its services.

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)

This provision defines the scope of automated data collection mechanisms that OpenAI operates during service use. The authorization covers both device-level technical data and behavioral usage patterns, establishing the foundation for the company's data collection practices.

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
Apr 10, 2026
First Seen
Apr 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 967 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Simply visiting OpenAI's website or using ChatGPT results in automatic collection of your IP address, device information, and usage patterns, which can be used to build a behavioural profile even if you never create an account.

How other platforms handle this

Paramount+ Medium

"By clicking 'Next', you are indicating that you have read and agree to the TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY"

Microsoft Azure Medium

Location data. Data about your device's location, which can be either precise or imprecise. For example, we collect location data using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., GPS) and data about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. Location can also be inferred from a device's IP address...

Netflix Medium

Cookies are small data files that are commonly stored on your device when you access websites and online services. The text in a cookie contains a string of numbers and letters that may uniquely identify a device and can contain other information as well. This allows the web server to recognize your...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We automatically collect certain information from your device, including information about your web browser, IP address, time zone, and some of the cookies that are installed on your device. Additionally, as you browse the Service, we collect information about the individual web pages or products that you view, what websites or search terms referred you to the Service, and information about how you interact with the Service. We may also use tracking technologies such as cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your use of the Services.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: GDPR Art. 6 (lawful basis for automatic data collection), Recital 30 (online identifiers as personal data), and the ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC (cookie consent requirements). CCPA §1798.140(v) defines 'personal information' to include IP addresses and browsing history. The UK PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations) governs cookie use independently of UK GDPR. (2)

Full compliance analysis

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

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    Automated tracking and device fingerprinting without adequate disclosure falls under FTC Act Section 5 unfair or deceptive practices jurisdiction.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

EU AI Act
European Union
BIPA
Illinois, USA
California AB 2013 AI Training Data Transparency
US-CA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
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
March 6, 2026
Last verified
April 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002670
Document ID
CA-D-00010
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
90ad72975ac0d9d86d724561a29d464c061ec09345abf2fde0eccd43d6205bcf
Analysis generated
March 6, 2026 20:23 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-002670
Captured: 2026-03-06 20:23:45 UTC
SHA-256: 90ad72975ac0d9d8…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/automated-data-collection-and-tracking-technologies/
Accessed: June 15, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Automated Data Collection and Tracking Technologies clause do?

This provision defines the scope of automated data collection mechanisms that OpenAI operates during service use. The authorization covers both device-level technical data and behavioral usage patterns, establishing the foundation for the company's data collection practices.

How does this clause affect you?

Simply visiting OpenAI's website or using ChatGPT results in automatic collection of your IP address, device information, and usage patterns, which can be used to build a behavioural profile even if you never create an account.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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