Turn off this ChatGPT setting to keep your background conversations private

Voice Mode on the ChatGPT mobile app automatically runs in the background even when the app is closed. But now there is a way to disable it.

OpenAI has quietly deployed a new privacy function for the ChatGPT app on Android and iOS that lets you disable “Background Conversations.” Redditors (through BGR) spotted the setting on Monday that seems to be new. In the Voice Mode section of ChatGPT settings, you can now toggle off the function.

Primarily based on the description of what ChatGPT’s Voice Mode really does, the privacy-minded may want to turn it off quickly. “Background conversations preserve the conversation going in other apps or when your screen is off.” Presumably, this signifies ChatGPT with Voice Mode is “listening” or tracking your behavior when making use of other apps on your telephone.

It is unclear regardless of whether the “whilst your screen is off” portion refers to some type of passive listening capability, as is the case with other voice assistants or if it really is just referring to other apps operating in the background when you are not actively making use of your telephone. OpenAI did not respond to Mashable’s request for clarification at the time of publication.

OpenAI has major plans for Voice Mode

ChatGPT Voice has been an obtainable function given that September of final year. But, OpenAI lately rolled the voice modality into one particular model with the launch of GPT-4o. The heavier concentrate on voice capabilities brought new scrutiny to the sorts of voices employed — one particular of which sounded eerily related to Scarlett Johansson’s, drew not-so-coincidental comparisons to the film Her. OpenAI has given that dropped the ScarJo-esque voice right after Johansson threatened legal action. On a associated note, OpenAI is reportedly partnering with Apple for ChatGPT integration in iOS 18. It is unclear regardless of whether OpenAI’s voice mode, and by extension, ChatGPT listening in on your app behavior is associated to an alleged Siri revamp or if that is a portion of the reported partnership.

How to turn off Background Conversations on the ChatGPT app

Customers on Reddit noticed this displaying up in ChatGPT settings on Android and iOS. It hasn’t shown up for us, which suggests it is a gradual rollout (we’ve reached out to OpenAI for clarification on this.) If you do have this setting, it will show up in the Settings account below Voice Mode. To disable Background Conversations, merely tap to toggle off.