# ChatGPT’s Computer History Tracks Your Clicks and Keystrokes It’s like Windows Recall, but without the screenshots. - **Source:** [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-16 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/94786dd7-4afb-4de2-b033-a3437262d706 ## ChatGPT’s New Feature OpenAI has introduced a new feature to ChatGPT’s macOS desktop app: Computer History. This feature records users’ clicks and keystrokes to learn their working patterns. The data is used to suggest personalized automations and complete unfinished tasks. The feature transforms user activities into a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can reference when making requests. ## Opt-In and Control Options The Computer History feature is not automatically enabled; users must manually activate it. Additionally, users can exclude specific apps and websites from being tracked. For finer control, users can delete entries. OpenAI’s Product and Engineering Manager Ari Weinstein stated that the feature will automatically ignore content in incognito or private browser tabs. ## Quick Demo and Functionality Dominik Kundel, a member of OpenAI’s Developer Experiences team, shared a demo video showcasing how the feature works. In the video, the app locates the last edited document, checks if it was shared via Slack, and provides a summary of how the morning was spent. This aims to make users’ workflows more efficient. ## Comparison with Windows Recall Computer History is reminiscent of Microsoft’s controversial Windows Recall feature. However, while Windows Recall relies heavily on screenshots, OpenAI’s feature does not capture images, videos, or audio. Instead, it focuses on “events.” This slightly alleviates privacy concerns but may still be unsettling for some users. ## Privacy and Security Concerns The feature raises privacy and security concerns as it records user activities. OpenAI emphasizes that the feature is opt-in and that users have control options. However, such data collection practices raise questions about how personal information is used. ## Personalized Automations Computer History analyzes users’ work habits to suggest personalized automations. This aims to automate repetitive tasks and increase user efficiency. For example, a document edited could be automatically shared on Slack. ## Completing Unfinished Tasks The feature detects unfinished tasks and suggests ways to complete them. This is particularly useful for users with busy schedules. For instance, if an email draft is left incomplete, ChatGPT can offer suggestions to finish it. ## Future Implications and Potential The Computer History feature could shape the future of AI-powered personal assistants. Systems that learn users’ work habits and make suggestions accordingly could significantly boost productivity. However, careful attention must be paid to privacy and security issues. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/980742/chatgpts-computer-history-tracks-your-clicks-and-keystrokes — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._