Provision record
OpenAI · OpenAI Privacy Policy · View original document ↗

Data Categories Collected

Medium severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 290 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

OpenAI collects a broad range of personal data including your name, email, payment details, everything you type or upload into its products, your device identifiers, IP address, and general location.

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 identifies conversation content, uploaded files, images, and audio as data categories collected, which means that any personal, professional, or sensitive information submitted during a ChatGPT session is captured and subject to the uses described in this policy.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium Jun 12, 2026

The updated policy explicitly discloses that OpenAI receives information from advertisers and other data partners for Free and Go users, and uses this data to personalize ads and measure ad effectiveness. The policy now states that Free and Go users can control what data OpenAI uses to personalize ads through advertising controls in account settings. This represents clarified disclosure of an existing practice rather than a new authorization.

View change record →
Medium Jun 7, 2026

The updated privacy policy now explicitly states that OpenAI receives information from advertisers and other data partners, which is used to personalize ads shown to Free and Go users and to measure the effectiveness of those ads. For example, the policy notes that OpenAI could receive information about purchases users make from advertisers. The policy now includes a dedicated section on ad personalization and measurement as a primary use of personal data for these user tiers. You can manage what data OpenAI uses for ad personalization by accessing the advertising controls in your account settings or by using the Data Controls option.

View change record →
Medium May 1, 2026

The updated policy now explicitly authorizes OpenAI to promote products and services to users through direct marketing on third-party properties and to share limited information with select marketing partners (who are not service providers) to support these efforts. The policy states that some marketing partners may receive information through cookies and similar technologies. The revised terms establish that these marketing practices are subject to user choices and controls, with additional information and opt-out options available. You can make choices about the use of your information for third-party product promotion purposes through controls referenced in the policy.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
6
Months Monitored
May 12, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 5149 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The policy states that all content submitted by users including text conversations, uploaded files, images, and audio recordings is collected and processed, alongside technical identifiers including device ID, IP address, and location data derived from device or network settings.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Export Your Data
    Visit privacy.openai.com to submit a data access request to receive a copy of the personal information OpenAI holds about you.

How other platforms handle this

Square Medium

to request that your data be transferred to a third party (data portability)

Google Cloud Medium

Your organization may allow you to access and export your data in order to back it up or transfer it to a service outside of Google.

Roblox Medium

Further, you may take legal actions in relation to any potential breach of your rights regarding the processing of your Personal Information, as well as to lodge complaints before the competent data prot...

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We collect information you provide directly to us when you create an account, use our services, or communicate with us. This includes: name, contact information (email, phone), payment information, account credentials, and the content you submit, including text, files, images, and audio. We also collect usage data, device identifiers, IP addresses, browser type, operating system, pages visited, and location information derived from your IP address or device settings.

Excerpt from OpenAI's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages CCPA and CPRA category-based disclosure requirements, which mandate that businesses disclose the specific categories of personal information collected at or before the point of collection.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

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-011506
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-011506
Captured: 2026-05-12 10:58:58 UTC
SHA-256: e7d3ae1b9a380384…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-011506/data-categories-collected/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Data Categories Collected clause do?

The policy identifies conversation content, uploaded files, images, and audio as data categories collected, which means that any personal, professional, or sensitive information submitted during a ChatGPT session is captured and subject to the uses described in this policy.

How does this clause affect you?

The policy states that all content submitted by users including text conversations, uploaded files, images, and audio recordings is collected and processed, alongside technical identifiers including device ID, IP address, and location data derived from device or network settings.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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