ChatGPT’s Computer History Captures Mac Activity
ChatGPT's new Computer History feature tracks Mac activity to build a timeline for AI assistance.
The update
ChatGPT’s desktop app on macOS now includes Computer History, a feature that captures clicks and keystrokes across apps and websites. This activity is converted into training data that helps the AI learn how you work and suggest automations. The feature builds on and replaces the previous Chronicle capability, using fewer tokens and offering more privacy controls.
Why it matters
Computer History represents a significant shift in how AI interacts with users’ digital lives. Unlike similar features that capture screenshots, this approach focuses on events rather than visual data. The feature is opt-in and allows users to exclude certain apps and websites, with OpenAI confirming it ignores content in private browser tabs. This raises questions about the tradeoffs between personalized AI assistance and privacy.
What to watch
Privacy advocates will likely scrutinize how this data is stored and used. The feature currently only supports Mac apps and is limited to Pro, Business, and Enterprise accounts. As this technology evolves, we’ll need to watch whether similar capabilities expand to other platforms and how OpenAI addresses potential privacy concerns. The rollout is global in most regions, with the UK, Switzerland, and EEA to follow in the next few weeks.
Sources
- theverge.com — Details on Computer History functionality
- zdnet.com — Information on privacy controls and account eligibility
