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OpenAI Fixes Glitch That Made Private ChatGPT Conversations Appear on Google

by VARINDIA 2025-08-02

OpenAI confirmed it has removed the indexing feature to protect user privacy, ensuring such conversations will no longer appear in search results.

OpenAI has resolved a privacy issue where ChatGPT conversations shared using its “Share” feature were appearing in Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo search results. The company confirmed that the feature allowing search engines to index publicly shared ChatGPT chats has now been removed, ensuring user privacy.

The issue came to light when users discovered that adding the query “site:chatgpt.com/share” to Google searches revealed thousands of ChatGPT-shared conversations. While many of these were harmless and simple, some contained highly sensitive personal information. Conversations discussing mental health, sex life, addiction, career advice, and even experiences of abuse were visible to anyone online, sparking concerns about data privacy and the security of AI-assisted interactions.

How did this happen?

The ChatGPT Share feature allows users to create a link to share their chatbot conversations with friends or colleagues via WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, or email. While these links are not public by default, they were being indexed by search engines, making them discoverable to anyone who knew how to search for them.

In a statement, OpenAI assured users that the indexing has been disabled and publicly shared ChatGPT conversations will no longer appear on Google or other search engines. The company emphasized that private conversations remain secure and unsearchable.

This fix comes as AI privacy concerns grow worldwide, with experts urging AI companies to implement stricter data protection measures. Users are also advised to carefully review content before sharing their chatbot interactions, especially when discussing personal or sensitive topics.

As ChatGPT continues to evolve, OpenAI’s swift response reflects its commitment to user safety, privacy, and responsible AI deployment. With these changes, shared ChatGPT chats can still be used for collaboration, but without the risk of unintentionally exposing personal information on public platforms.