New ChatGPT feature draws criticism
| Source: Mastodon | Original article
A new ChatGPT feature is facing criticism for prompting users to share personal details, sparking privacy concerns on platforms like Mastodon.
OpenAI has rolled out a new ChatGPT capability that lets users fine‑tune the bot’s tone – from “Friendly” to “Quirky” – and, more controversially, link the service to personal data such as health records or financial details. The move, announced earlier this week, is intended to make the assistant feel more conversational and to improve the relevance of advertising, but it has already sparked a wave of criticism from privacy advocates, cybersecurity experts and medical professionals.
The core of the backlash centres on the risk that conversations with the AI could become a new arena for advertisers seeking ultra‑precise targeting. A TV 2 report highlighted experts’ warning that the feature could turn private chats into a “battlefield for advertisers,” blurring the line between helpful assistance and commercial exploitation. At the same time, a veteran in cyber‑security described a newly introduced OpenAI plugin as a “gigantic backdoor” that could give intelligence agencies indirect access to users’ iPhones, raising alarms about state‑level surveillance.
Healthcare commentators have also voiced concern after a separate rollout that allows ChatGPT to dispense medical advice based on users’ health data. Doctors fear the combination of AI‑generated recommendations and personal health information could lead to serious misdiagnoses or privacy breaches. The issue resonates with broader societal worries: a recent thread on Mastodon noted that many people already share intimate details of their lives online, and the new feature may further erode the thin boundary that remains between public and private spheres.
What to watch next: OpenAI is expected to publish a detailed privacy‑impact assessment in the coming weeks, while regulators in the EU and the US are likely to scrutinise the feature under emerging AI‑specific legislation. Industry observers will also be tracking whether advertisers adopt the new targeting possibilities or pull back amid the controversy. The unfolding debate will shape how AI assistants balance personalization with the protection of user data.
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