{"version":1,"type":"story","url":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num","json":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num.json","markdown":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num.md","slug":"openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num","headline":"OpenAI targets ChatGPT users with ads via prompts, emails, and phone numbers","summary":"OpenAI lets advertisers inject targeted ads into ChatGPT sessions using users’ email addresses, phone numbers, or Android advertising IDs. According to tests by 404 Media, advertisers can upload raw or hashed personal data to create custom audiences, though OpenAI claims files are deleted within 24 hours. Targeting also relies on prompt content, which 404 Media previously found may be reviewed by humans. Ads appear at the bottom of responses or alongside image generation results, with a minimum of 25,000 entries required for inclusion-based targeting.\n\nOpenAI introduced ChatGPT ads in the U.S. in February and expanded globally. Users can opt out of ad personalization based on past activity, but ads may still appear based on current chats. Third-party tools like *ChatGPT Ad Library* track which ads appear for specific prompts, recording over 43,410 ads across 415,289 placements. Critics argue the practice raises privacy concerns, with Zach Edwards of DecryptAds calling it a ‘boiling frog’ approach. OpenAI did not confirm whether it hashes raw data before processing it.","keyPoints":["Advertisers can upload raw or hashed emails/phone numbers to target specific ChatGPT users, with 25,000+ entries needed for inclusion","Ads appear based on prompts, past activity, or uploaded personal data, even if users opt out of ad personalization","*ChatGPT Ad Library* tracks 43,410 ads across 415,289 placements by testing real user prompts"],"whyItMatters":"ChatGPT’s ad system blurs privacy boundaries by using personal data and prompts for targeting, raising concerns about user awareness and consent.","category":{"slug":"marketing","name":"Marketing & Small Business","url":"https://digestai.news/category/marketing"},"entities":{"companies":["OpenAI","404 Media","DecryptAds","ChatGPT Ad Library"],"models":[],"people":["Zach Edwards"]},"firstPublishedAt":"2026-10-15T13:25:19Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-15T13:25:19Z","sourceCount":1,"hasPrimarySource":false,"sources":[{"outlet":"404media.co","title":"How ChatGPT Targets Ads To You Based On Your Prompts, Phone Number, and Email","url":"https://404media.co/how-chatgpt-targets-ads-to-you-based-on-your-prompts-phone-number-and-email","publishedAt":"2026-10-15T13:25:19Z","type":"press","primary":false,"lead":true}],"sourceNotes":null,"discussions":[{"site":"Hacker News","url":"https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50103427","points":12}],"thread":null,"cite":{"text":"Digest AI, \"OpenAI targets ChatGPT users with ads via prompts, emails, and phone numbers\", 15 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num","publisher":"Digest AI","title":"OpenAI targets ChatGPT users with ads via prompts, emails, and phone numbers","datePublished":"2026-10-15T13:25:19Z","url":"https://digestai.news/story/openai-targets-chatgpt-users-with-ads-via-prompts-emails-and-phone-num"},"generatedBy":"Written by Digest AI's editorial model from the linked sources; the sources are the record.","license":"Headlines, digests and key points are written by Digest AI and may be quoted with a link to the story page. Linked articles belong to their publishers. Terms: https://digestai.news/terms#reuse"}