OpenAI identified using cookies that may track ChatGPT users

Privacy researchers have identified a cookie used by OpenAI that may allow for the tracking of user activities across different websites and link them to specific ChatGPT accounts.

The cookie, named ‘__obi’, is set on the openai.com domain and creates a unique identifier for a user's device. When a user visits other websites that utilize OpenAI’s advertising technology, this identifier can be used to connect various browsing activities—such as products viewed, articles read, or purchasing habits—across multiple domains.

According to reports, the cookie can remain active for up to a year, and certain anonymous identifiers may persist for several weeks even when a user is not logged into ChatGPT. While much of the personal data is reportedly aggregated and encrypted, the system enables advertisers to collect data including clicks, geographic information, URL fragments, and potentially contact details like email addresses or phone numbers.