ChatGPT for Mac adds Computer History to track clicks and typing

In short: OpenAI has added an optional feature to the ChatGPT app for macOS called Computer History that records what you do on your computer so ChatGPT can use it later.

What happened

OpenAI’s ChatGPT desktop app on macOS now includes a feature called Computer History. It logs your actions, like clicks and keystrokes, and turns them into a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can refer to when you ask for help.

The idea is that the app can learn how you work and then suggest automations (shortcuts that do steps for you). In a demo shared by an OpenAI employee, the app looked up the last document someone edited, checked whether it had been shared in Slack, and summarized how the person spent their morning.

OpenAI says Computer History does not capture images, video, or audio. Instead, it relies on “events,” which you can think of like a detailed activity log (more like a list of actions than a photo album).

The feature is opt-in, meaning it is off by default and you have to turn it on. OpenAI says you can exclude specific apps and websites, and you can delete entries from the timeline. An OpenAI product manager also said the feature will ignore activity in incognito or private browser tabs.

Why it matters

A tool that remembers what you did can be convenient, especially when you forget where you left off. But it also raises privacy questions, because it requires your computer to keep a running record of your activity. The opt-in setting and the ability to exclude apps and delete entries give people some control, but users will still need to decide if the convenience is worth the extra tracking.

Source: The Verge AI