OpenAI Ditches Recall-Style Screenshot Surveillance For Friendly Keylogging (theregister.com)
(Monday August 17, 2026 @11:00AM (BeauHD)
from the always-recording dept.)
- Reference: 0185012602
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/08/17/0454255/openai-ditches-recall-style-screenshot-surveillance-for-friendly-keylogging
- Source link: https://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/08/14/openai-ditches-recall-style-screenshot-surveillance-for-friendly-keylogging/5287618
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Register:
> If you want to record whatever you do on a computer, send those records to OpenAI, use more ChatGPT tokens, and increase your vulnerability to prompt injection, then OpenAI has something for you. It's called [1]Computer History , an opt-in way to record your computer interactions across apps and websites as [2]memories organized on a timeline.
>
> Why would you want to do so? Maybe you found [3]Chronicle , the predecessor of Computer History which compiled similar histories using screenshots, a bit too intrusive but don't mind Computer History's approach -- recording input events and storing them unencrypted locally for 48 hours (or more), with a brief visit to OpenAI's servers. Maybe you're not bothered by the warning OpenAI includes in its documentation: "Computer History files can contain sensitive information. They are not encrypted by Computer History, and other programs running as your macOS user may be able to access them."
>
> Perhaps, having given OpenAI's Codex and GPT Work the run of your computer, you're already sold on the suggestion that storing your computer activity in memory files and arranging those interactions in a timeline will improve ChatGPT responses, surface opportunities for automation, and make it easier to resume prior work. Computer History is, to put it bluntly, [4]a keylogging and event capture system .
"Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites," OpenAI's documentation explains. "Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. Computer History periodically turns these events into text summaries and local memory files." OpenAI says the feature doesn't capture screen images, microphone input, or system audio. It also doesn't record private-mode browsing.
"Turn it off during communications with other people unless you have their prior express consent," the company advises, perhaps in acknowledgement of legal risk. "Consider pausing it or excluding apps that contain sensitive health, financial, or personal information." ChatGPT and Codex delete locally stored Computer History interaction events after 48 hours, but data sent to OpenAI to generate memories may be retained locally longer and reused in future chats.
[1] https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/computer-history
[2] https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/memories
[3] https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/04/21/openai-chronicle-codex-screen-context-memories/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/08/14/openai-ditches-recall-style-screenshot-surveillance-for-friendly-keylogging/5287618
> If you want to record whatever you do on a computer, send those records to OpenAI, use more ChatGPT tokens, and increase your vulnerability to prompt injection, then OpenAI has something for you. It's called [1]Computer History , an opt-in way to record your computer interactions across apps and websites as [2]memories organized on a timeline.
>
> Why would you want to do so? Maybe you found [3]Chronicle , the predecessor of Computer History which compiled similar histories using screenshots, a bit too intrusive but don't mind Computer History's approach -- recording input events and storing them unencrypted locally for 48 hours (or more), with a brief visit to OpenAI's servers. Maybe you're not bothered by the warning OpenAI includes in its documentation: "Computer History files can contain sensitive information. They are not encrypted by Computer History, and other programs running as your macOS user may be able to access them."
>
> Perhaps, having given OpenAI's Codex and GPT Work the run of your computer, you're already sold on the suggestion that storing your computer activity in memory files and arranging those interactions in a timeline will improve ChatGPT responses, surface opportunities for automation, and make it easier to resume prior work. Computer History is, to put it bluntly, [4]a keylogging and event capture system .
"Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites," OpenAI's documentation explains. "Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. Computer History periodically turns these events into text summaries and local memory files." OpenAI says the feature doesn't capture screen images, microphone input, or system audio. It also doesn't record private-mode browsing.
"Turn it off during communications with other people unless you have their prior express consent," the company advises, perhaps in acknowledgement of legal risk. "Consider pausing it or excluding apps that contain sensitive health, financial, or personal information." ChatGPT and Codex delete locally stored Computer History interaction events after 48 hours, but data sent to OpenAI to generate memories may be retained locally longer and reused in future chats.
[1] https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/computer-history
[2] https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/memories
[3] https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/04/21/openai-chronicle-codex-screen-context-memories/
[4] https://www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/2026/08/14/openai-ditches-recall-style-screenshot-surveillance-for-friendly-keylogging/5287618
Well ok then (Score:2)
by Krishnoid ( 984597 )
You had me at "opt-in."
Re: (Score:2)
by UnknowingFool ( 672806 )
It will depend on if it is actually opt-in versus "opt-in**" **See exceptions (in tiny print).
No Thank You, OpenAI (Score:4, Insightful)
In what universe is sending your keystrokes to OpenAI even a remotely good idea?
Fuck OpenAI. Hard.
Re: No Thank You, OpenAI (Score:2)
It isn't, but I find this article extract and its tone unprofessional, so honestly I couldn't care less anymore.
Re: (Score:2)
> In what universe is sending your keystrokes to OpenAI even a remotely good idea? Fuck OpenAI. Hard.
Yea, I’m waiting until the free camera upgrade for the bedroom and bathroom comes with the service.
Re: (Score:2)
In today's world, where let's face it, when it comes between security and convenience, convenience always wins. From interconnected infrastructure (convenience for managers to see everything from the couch), to finance apps that know every dollar you have and where, to location apps for driving/walking directions, to health genome and advice sites, ... I'm sure I missed some. All about convenience. And AI ties it all together with a neat bow. I expect one of the next ads you'll see is one showing an AI repl
Re: (Score:2)
This sounds like what a new Windows 11 should be...turned on by default.