OpenAI says it can retain deleted Operator data for up to 90 days

OpenAI he says may save chats and related screenshots of customers who use it Operator, the company’s AI “agent” toolUp to 90 days — even after the user manually deletes them.

There is OpenAI Similar deleted data retention policy for ChatGPTits AI-powered chatbot platform. However, the retention period for ChatGPT is only 30 days, which is 60 days shorter than Carrier.

OpenAI says its Operator data retention policies are designed to combat abuse. “Since agents are a relatively new technology, we wanted to ensure our teams had time to better understand and consider potential abuse vectors,” an OpenAI spokesperson told TechCrunch. “This retention period allows us to strengthen fraud monitoring and secure the product against abuse, while giving users control over their data.”

OpenAI Operator announced on Thursday and published in a research preview for subscribers to the company’s $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan. An operator is a general-purpose AI agent with a built-in browser that can independently perform certain actions on websites.

OpenAI claims that Operator can automate tasks such as booking travel accommodations, making restaurant reservations, and online shopping. There are several task categories that users can choose from within the Operator interface, including shopping, delivery, dining, and travel.

The operator takes screenshots of their internal browser to help them understand how and when to navigate applications, such as when to use buttons and which forms to fill out. To be clear, Operator does not take screenshots when it gets “stuck”, such as when the tool needs a password. OpenAI calls this “capture” mode.

Still, some users may be wary of voluntarily providing screenshots of their online activity to a company that might keep them for more than three months. OpenAI notes that, as with ChatGPT, Operator data may be accessed by “a limited number of authorized OpenAI personnel” and “trusted service providers” for purposes such as investigating abuse and resolving legal issues.