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| Computer History reached the EEA, Switzerland and the UK on August 20. It ships switched off. |
After a brief delay, OpenAI's controversial activity recorder for Mac is now live across the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK. Here's what it does, what it captures, and why the company itself is urging caution.
When OpenAI first rolled out "Computer History" for the ChatGPT Mac app on August 15, European users were left out. The feature—which quietly tracks your clicks, typing, and app-switching behavior—simply wasn't available on the continent.
That changed on August 20. In a quiet update, OpenAI flipped the switch for the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, bringing the tool to millions more users. But the launch comes with a string of caveats that might give even the most tech-savvy user pause.
For full release details, you can check the official ChatGPT release notes.
What Computer History Actually Records
The feature lives inside the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS. Once enabled, it begins collecting what OpenAI calls "interaction events"—essentially, everything you do while working on your Mac, provided you're using the ChatGPT interface.
That includes:
- Clicks and mouse movements
- Typing activity
- Switches between applications
- Text and on-screen context that macOS makes available through its accessibility system
From that data, Computer History builds short summaries and a timeline that ChatGPT—and OpenAI's coding agent, Codex—can reference in future conversations.
Notably, the feature does not capture screenshots, microphone audio, or system sound. Private browsing activity also never makes it into the records. So while it's comprehensive, there are hard limits on what gets logged.
Nothing Happens Without Your Explicit OK
If you're worried about OpenAI silently watching your every move, here's some reassurance: Computer History ships switched off. You have to deliberately turn it on.
The path is straightforward: open the Mac app, navigate to Settings > Integrations > Computer history. But there's a catch—you'll need a Pro, Business, or Enterprise plan to access it. Personal accounts are out of luck.
Additionally, you must have Memories switched on in your ChatGPT settings. For Business and Enterprise workspaces, an administrator must first grant access at the organizational level. Even then, every individual user still has to opt in personally.
Once active, the ChatGPT icon in your macOS menu bar lets you pause collection at any time. You can also decide, app by app and site by site, what is allowed to feed into your history.
Three Stark Warnings from OpenAI Itself
This is where things get interesting—and a little unsettling. OpenAI's own documentation doesn't sugarcoat the risks. In fact, the company flags three specific concerns that users should consider before enabling the feature.
1. Your files are not encrypted
According to OpenAI, Computer History stores data in files that can contain sensitive information. These files are not encrypted, and any other program running under your macOS user account may potentially read them. Temporary event files are deleted after 48 hours, but the memories built from them remain on your disk as plain text files until you manually delete them.
2. Other people's privacy is at risk
OpenAI explicitly advises turning the feature off during communications with others—unless you have their prior express consent. Otherwise, your chats, emails, and video calls could end up in the summaries, raising serious privacy questions in shared workspaces or family settings.
3. Prompt injection is a real threat
Prompt injection—where hidden instructions inside a website or app trick an AI into following unintended commands—is a growing concern in the AI world. OpenAI warns that Computer History increases this risk. We've already seen similar vulnerabilities play out in AI-powered browsers, and the concern here is that malicious actors could exploit recorded data to manipulate ChatGPT's behavior.
For a deeper dive into the technical details, the Computer History documentation provides the full picture.
What Actually Reaches OpenAI's Servers
The recording itself happens entirely on your Mac. However, to build the summaries, the ChatGPT app sends temporary event files to OpenAI's servers.
The company says it does not keep these files afterward and does not use them for training. That sounds reassuring—but there's a twist.
Once a memory is finalized and used in a later chat, that conversation becomes part of your standard ChatGPT interaction. Depending on your data controls, that chat content can feed into model improvement. In other words, your Computer History data doesn't directly train OpenAI's models, but the conversations that result from it might.
The Enterprise Angle
For businesses, the rollout brings additional layers of control—and responsibility. OpenAI's Enterprise and Edu release notes outline how administrators can manage access, but they also emphasize that ultimate accountability lies with the user.
If your company handles sensitive client data, intellectual property, or regulated information, the lack of encryption and the plain-text storage of memories might raise compliance red flags.
Final Thoughts: A Powerful Tool with Real Trade-Offs
Computer History is undeniably useful. The ability to have ChatGPT recall your workflow, past actions, and context across apps could transform how professionals interact with AI. But the feature's privacy model—especially the unencrypted local storage and the need for explicit consent from others—means it's not a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
If you're in Europe and finally able to try it, take the time to configure it carefully. Review which apps have access, pause it during sensitive meetings, and regularly delete memories you no longer need.
And as always, read the fine print. OpenAI has been transparent about the risks—now it's up to users to decide whether the convenience is worth the cost.
Have you tried Computer History on your Mac? Share your experience in the comments—and let us know if the privacy warnings give you pause.