OpenAI has enabled marketing cookies by default for free ChatGPT users in countries where advertisements are running, automatically activating tracking for non-paying accounts while exempting paying subscribers from this default setting. Free users retain the ability to disable marketing cookie tracking through their account settings. The move represents OpenAI's effort to develop new revenue sources through advertising, creating a differentiated experience where payment status determines default privacy settings. The implementation establishes a two-tier system where free users face automatic tracking unless they manually opt out, while paying subscribers avoid default marketing cookies entirely.
Default Ad Tracking Implementation for Free Users
- ▪Free ChatGPT users can disable marketing cookie tracking in their account settings
- ▪OpenAI has turned on marketing cookies by default for free ChatGPT users in countries where ads are running
- ▪Marketing cookie tracking is automatically active for free ChatGPT accounts
Revenue Strategy and User Tier Differentiation
- ▪OpenAI is implementing ad tracking as part of seeking new revenue sources
- ▪Marketing cookie tracking is not automatically active for paying ChatGPT subscribers
Perspective of Privacy advocates
- ▪OpenAI's default activation of marketing cookies for free ChatGPT users represents an opt-out rather than opt-in approach to user tracking
- ▪OpenAI's decision to enable marketing cookies by default for free users while exempting paying subscribers creates a two-tier privacy system
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