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

Targeted Advertising for Free and Go Users

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Document Record

What it is

The policy states that Free and Go tier users have their advertising history and interests collected, used to personalize ads shown on OpenAI's services, and that limited data is shared with select marketing partners for cross-context behavioral advertising on third-party properties.

ⓘ

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 establishes a distinct data collection and sharing regime for users on the Free and Go tiers, including collection of advertising engagement data and sharing with external marketing partners. The policy explicitly acknowledges this constitutes 'targeted advertising' or 'cross-context behavioral advertising' under certain state privacy laws, and provides multiple opt-out pathways.

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 →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under this provision, Free and Go users' ad engagement data is collected and used to serve personalized ads, and limited data is shared with marketing partners for targeted advertising on third-party platforms. Opt-out is available through account settings' advertising controls, the Your Privacy Choices link on the website, or a recognized mechanism such as Global Privacy Control.

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.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Log into your ChatGPT account and navigate to the advertising controls in account settings to opt out of personalized ads. If not logged in, go to Settings > Data Controls on ChatGPT or use the Your Privacy Choices link on the OpenAI website. Alternatively, enable Global Privacy Control in your browser.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Targeted Advertising for Free and Go Users and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
For Free and Go users, we also collect information about your ads history and interests, such as the types of ad content that you view or engage with. ... For Free and Go users, to personalize the ads you see on our Services (subject to your settings), and to measure the effectiveness of ads shown on our Services. ... Depending upon your choices, we may share limited data with select marketing partners for purposes of promoting our products and services to you on third-party properties. This is known as 'targeted advertising' or sharing for 'cross-context behavioral advertising' under certain state privacy laws.

Excerpt from OpenAI's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision directly implicates CCPA and CPRA provisions governing cross-context behavioral advertising and the right to opt out of sharing personal data for targeted advertising purposes.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

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

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over consumer data practices in advertising, including cross-context behavioral advertising and compliance with opt-out mechanisms.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in California, Colorado, Connecticut, and other states with targeted advertising opt-out laws have enforcement authority over this provision.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Privacy Policy
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
Sept. 11, 2026
Last verified
Sept. 11, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-077390
Document ID
CA-D-00010
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
8ee232ad6c110b02c18d379ad054ed5a418f8064056cc5138741afff26158d34
Analysis generated
September 11, 2026 01:57 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-077390
Captured: 2026-09-11 01:57:58 UTC
SHA-256: 8ee232ad6c110b02…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-077390/targeted-advertising-for-free-and-go-users/
Accessed: Sept. 27, 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 Targeted Advertising for Free and Go Users clause do?

This provision establishes a distinct data collection and sharing regime for users on the Free and Go tiers, including collection of advertising engagement data and sharing with external marketing partners. The policy explicitly acknowledges this constitutes 'targeted advertising' or 'cross-context behavioral advertising' under certain state privacy laws, and provides multiple opt-out pathways.

How does this clause affect you?

Under this provision, Free and Go users' ad engagement data is collected and used to serve personalized ads, and limited data is shared with marketing partners for targeted advertising on third-party platforms. Opt-out is available through account settings' advertising controls, the Your Privacy Choices link on the website, or a recognized mechanism such as Global Privacy Control.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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