OpenAI sent out an email on March 24th, 2026, detailing the newest updates to their Privacy Policy. These updates give more details into the data that ChatGPT collects, along with how it’s used and controlled. In addition to some clarification, OpenAI added details about ChatGPT’s newly implemented ads.
Privacy Policy Includes Ad Information
The biggest announcement for the new privacy policy update is that ads may start appearing for users on Free and Go plans. Plus, Pro, Enterprise, Business, and Education plans won’t have any ads.
Ads are separate from ChatGPT’s content and won’t affect the generated answers. They’re clearly labeled as “sponsored” so it’s clear that they’re not part of the response.
The ads are relevant and personalized based on context from chats and the user’s previous interactions with ads. This information stays in ChatGPT, and your personal details and private conversations are never shared with advertisers. You can adjust your ad personalization settings at any time.
The only information advertisers receive from ChatGPT is how their ads perform, including the number of views and clicks.
You Can Now Find Friends
Another new addition to ChatGPT is the “Finding Friends” feature. This gives users the option to sync their contacts so they can see if people they know are also on the platform. Users can connect with friends and use collaborative features this way. It’s completely optional.
New Clarification
While ads and finding friends are the only new features of the privacy policy, many existing aspects have new information to help users better understand OpenAI’s data use.
These sections added clarification:
- Age prediction & safeguards for teens – ChatGPT uses age prediction features for added safety. If a user is suspected to be under 18, additional safety settings will automatically turn on.
- New tools and features – The privacy policy updates included new details about Atlas, parental controls, and other features.
- More transparency around data – New clarifications make it clearer how long OpenAI keeps data, along with the legal bases for processing personal data.
How Will Ads Influence Brands?
While ads are a big change for ChatGPT, OpenAI insists that they won’t affect the responses. Brands can still show up in relevant searches, regardless of the ads that appear, so it’s important to keep up with current AI optimization strategies.
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