OpenAI has announced the removal of a feature that allowed users to make their conversations with ChatGPT discoverable by search engines, such as Google. The opt-in feature, which was introduced for “short-lived experiment,” aimed to help people discover useful conversations. However, OpenAI decided to roll back the experiment due to concerns about accidental sharing of sensitive information.
According to Dane Stuckey, OpenAI’s Chief Information Security Officer, the company removed the option to prevent users from unintentionally sharing private conversations. The change is being rolled out to all users starting tomorrow morning.
The absence of a clear announcement when the feature was introduced may have contributed to user confusion and uproar. Critics argue that this lack of guidance highlights the way AI companies view their users, with some commenting that the friction for sharing potential private information should be greater than a checkbox.
This decision follows recent concerns about leaked private conversations caused by bugs or other issues. Many people confide deeply personal secrets to chatbots, seeking support for issues typically requiring professional counseling.
To use AI chatbots safer, experts advise users to:
– Read warnings and privacy policies before using these apps
– Anonymize input by avoiding personally identifiable information (PII)
– Protect sensitive work or client data
– Use up-to-date anti-malware protection
– Limit the data provided and delete it when possible
OpenAI is working to remove indexed content from search engines, with some conversations already visible temporarily due to caching. The company emphasizes its commitment to security and privacy in its products and features.
Source: https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/08/openai-kills-short-lived-experiment-where-chatgpt-chats-could-be-found-on-google