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

Third-Party and Affiliate Data Sharing

Medium severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 288 of 352 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

OpenAI may share your personal data with a range of third parties including technology vendors, affiliated companies, and any buyer in a corporate sale or merger.

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 clause establishes the operational scope of data sharing beyond OpenAI's direct control, defining circumstances under which user data flows to external parties involved in service delivery, corporate operations, and organizational changes. It structures the authorization framework for data transfers that may occur during normal business operations or material corporate events.

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)

Your personal data including account information, conversation content, and usage data may be disclosed to vendors, affiliates, and acquirers, potentially reducing your practical control over who holds your information.

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.
  • Delete Your Data
    Submit a data deletion request through OpenAI's Privacy Portal at privacy.openai.com to request removal of personal data before it is further shared.

How other platforms handle this

Skillshare Medium

Protect us, our business, our users, and others, for example to enforce our terms of service, prevent spam or other unwanted communications, and investigate or protect against fraud

Squarespace Medium

we may use, retain or share information with law enforcement or others in circumstances where a person's vital interests require protection, such as in the case of emergencies.

Google Gemini Medium

Third-party apps use data from Gemini consistent with their own privacy policies and terms.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
We may share your Personal Data with third parties in the following circumstances: Vendors and Service Providers: We share your Personal Data with vendors and service providers who perform services for us, such as hosting, infrastructure, analytics, payment processing, and customer support. Affiliates: We share your Personal Data with our affiliates for purposes consistent with this Privacy Policy. Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or other transaction, your Personal Data may be transferred as part of that transaction.

Excerpt from OpenAI's Privacy Policy

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages GDPR Articles 13 and 14 (transparency obligations), Article 28 (processor agreements), and Article 46 (transfer mechanisms) for cross-border sharing.

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 →

Applicable regulations

BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
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 10, 2026
Last verified
May 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000083
Document ID
CA-D-00010
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
9fedd919cc6d99e951ea6b8c198d3ded6d0673342d8c265778e44a35720b9b49
Analysis generated
May 10, 2026 22:24 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Privacy Policy
Record ID: CA-P-000083
Captured: 2026-05-10 22:24:41 UTC
SHA-256: 9fedd919cc6d99e9…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-privacy-policy/provision/CA-P-000083/third-party-and-affiliate-data-sharing/
Accessed: Sept. 20, 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 Third-Party and Affiliate Data Sharing clause do?

This clause establishes the operational scope of data sharing beyond OpenAI's direct control, defining circumstances under which user data flows to external parties involved in service delivery, corporate operations, and organizational changes. It structures the authorization framework for data transfers that may occur during normal business operations or material corporate events.

How does this clause affect you?

Your personal data including account information, conversation content, and usage data may be disclosed to vendors, affiliates, and acquirers, potentially reducing your practical control over who holds your information.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 288 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.