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| ChatGPT can now keep a record of what you type and click on your Mac. (Symbolic image) |
OpenAI activated a significant new capability in its ChatGPT macOS app on August 13, 2026, introducing a feature called Computer History that tracks user activity across applications and websites. The system builds a searchable timeline and creates lasting memories that ChatGPT can reference in future interactions, marking a notable shift in how the AI assistant maintains context.
Unlike its predecessor Chronicle, which relied on screenshots, the new Computer History feature captures interaction events including clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and app switches through macOS's accessibility system. The feature remains off by default and is currently limited to Pro, Business, and Enterprise account holders.
What Gets Recorded—and What Stays Private
Computer History's data collection is more surgical than screen-recording alternatives. The system captures:
- Mouse clicks and keyboard input
- Application switching patterns
- Keyboard shortcuts and navigation events
- Context exposed through macOS accessibility APIs
Notably absent from its surveillance: screenshots, screen recordings, microphone access, or system audio. Private browsing sessions are automatically excluded, and the feature never requests Screen Recording permission—a deliberate design choice that distinguishes it from the screenshot-based Chronicle research preview.
OpenAI processes captured events into text summaries, and when the system identifies recurring tasks, it offers to transform them into reusable skills or automations.
Where Your Data Lives
Raw event data resides locally on your Mac within the ChatGPT app's container and is automatically deleted after 48 hours. However, the data doesn't stay entirely on-device. OpenAI transmits temporary event files to its servers for processing to generate memories, then stores the finished memories back on your Mac. The company states that the temporary files aren't retained and aren't used for model training.
The privacy calculus changes once a memory is actively used. Contents pulled into a chat conversation may contribute to model improvement depending on your ChatGPT data control settings.
For a comprehensive understanding of how to manage these settings, OpenAI's official Computer History documentation provides detailed guidance on configuration options and privacy controls.
Two Key Risks OpenAI Acknowledges
The company has been transparent about potential vulnerabilities:
1. Local File Exposure
The files generated by Computer History are not encrypted, and other applications running under your macOS user account may be able to read them. OpenAI's documentation explicitly warns: "the files can hold sensitive information." The recommendation is to secure your Mac account and preemptively exclude sensitive content.
2. Prompt Injection Vulnerabilities
Instructions hidden within content that ChatGPT processes could be followed by the assistant. OpenAI acknowledges that Computer History elevates this risk. This mirrors recent incidents where AI browsers were hijacked by a single malicious email.
A less-discussed but important consideration: the feature should remain disabled during conversations involving other people unless you've obtained their explicit consent.
How to Enable and Control Computer History
For Business or Enterprise workspaces, administrators must grant access before individuals can opt in. No one is enrolled automatically—each person must explicitly enable the feature.
To activate Computer History:
- Navigate to Settings in the ChatGPT Mac app
- Select Integrations
- Choose Computer History
- Configure which apps and websites contribute data (using either exclusion lists or narrow allow lists)
Control options include:
- Pause collection via the menu bar icon
- Delete data in increments from the last ten minutes up to complete deletion (removing associated memories in the process)
- Granular app and website controls through integration settings
The deletion action cannot be undone, so users should exercise caution when removing historical data.
Regional Availability and Token Costs
Computer History is not currently available in the European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, or Switzerland, with no specified launch date for those regions. Multiple reports suggest a follow-up expansion within weeks, though this hasn't been confirmed by OpenAI.
An additional cost consideration: the summaries generated by Computer History consume tokens, which count against your ChatGPT allowance. Users on metered plans should factor this into their usage calculations.
The official ChatGPT release notes and independent coverage from 9to5Mac and The New Stack provide additional context on this development.
As AI assistants evolve to maintain more persistent and useful context, features like Computer History represent both an opportunity for enhanced productivity and a reminder of the importance of granular privacy controls and informed user consent. The opt-in nature and regional restrictions suggest OpenAI is proceeding cautiously, but the shift from screenshot-based to event-based tracking indicates a maturing approach to AI memory systems.
This article was originally published following OpenAI's August 13, 2026 announcement. Feature availability and specifications may have changed since publication.