OpenAI launches App Directory, accepts ChatGPT apps with privacy notices
OpenAI has opened the door for external creators to plug their tools straight into ChatGPT, rolling out a public App Directory that will host third‑party offerings. The move marks the first time the company is formally inviting developers to submit apps that appear alongside its own conversational model. While the platform promises a broader range of functionality—everything from productivity widgets to niche research assistants—the rollout also raises questions about data handling in a space traditionally dominated by a single provider.
Here’s the thing: OpenAI is trying to balance openness with user protection, and it has set out a series of safeguards that developers must follow before their apps go live. The company says it will surface relevant privacy information at the moment a user opts in, and it places the onus on app makers to respect those guidelines. What OpenAI has stated clearly:
What OpenAI has stated clearly: When a user connects to an app, ChatGPT discloses what types of data may be shared with the third party and surfaces the app's privacy policy before connection. Third‑party developers are responsible for how their apps handle data once received. Apps must minimize data collection, requesting only what is necessary to perform a specific task.
Apps are prohibited from requesting full chat transcripts, broad contextual data "just in case," or sensitive personal data. Any action that sends data outside ChatGPT or modifies external systems must be clearly labeled and require user confirmation. Apps must not reconstruct or infer a user's full chat history and must avoid undisclosed tracking or profiling.
What OpenAI has not clarified publicly: Whether OpenAI itself retains or logs the data passed between ChatGPT and third‑party apps. Whether data exchanged with apps can be used for model training or internal analytics. How long, if at all, OpenAI stores metadata or interaction traces related to app usage.
As a result, while OpenAI emphasizes strong guardrails for developers and transparency for users, it has not explicitly detailed OpenAI's own role as a data processor in app interactions. That ambiguity has already drawn scrutiny and remains an open issue as the app ecosystem expands. The bigger picture With app submissions now open and an App Directory live, ChatGPT is no longer just a conversational AI--it's becoming a distribution platform for AI‑native software.
Developers get access to a massive built‑in audience, while users gain tools that can be discovered and used at the moment they're needed, directly inside a conversation. OpenAI describes this as "just the beginning." But with the infrastructure now in place, the shift from chatbot to app ecosystem is officially underway.
OpenAI’s new App Directory opens a pathway for third‑party developers to place their tools directly inside ChatGPT, reachable from the sidebar or at chatgpt.com/apps. Over 800 million users can now browse, install and invoke these apps by name—simply typing “@” followed by the app’s handle. When a connection is made, ChatGPT displays the types of data that may be shared and surfaces the app’s privacy policy before any exchange occurs. Responsibility for handling that data rests squarely with the developers, and OpenAI requires apps to limit the information they collect.
The rollout is clear‑cut, yet questions linger about how consistently privacy notices will be honoured in practice. Is the disclosure mechanism enough to protect user data, or will gaps emerge as the catalogue expands? OpenAI’s stance is transparent, but the effectiveness of enforcement remains uncertain. For now, the directory offers a concrete way to extend ChatGPT’s functionality, provided users stay aware of the data‑sharing terms each app presents.
Further Reading
- Introducing apps in ChatGPT and the new Apps SDK - OpenAI
- ChatGPT — Release Notes - OpenAI Help Center
- ChatGPT App Store is open for submissions - OpenAI Community
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Common Questions Answered
How does the new OpenAI App Directory display data sharing information to users before they connect to a ChatGPT app?
When a user initiates a connection to a third‑party app, ChatGPT shows a clear notice of the specific data types that may be shared and presents the app's privacy policy. This disclosure appears before any data exchange, ensuring users are informed about what will be transmitted.
What restrictions does OpenAI place on third‑party developers regarding data collection for ChatGPT apps?
OpenAI requires apps to collect only the data necessary to complete a specific task and prohibits requests for full chat transcripts or broad contextual data "just in case." Developers are also responsible for handling any data they receive in compliance with their own privacy policies.
Where can users find and install third‑party apps within ChatGPT, and how many users can access the App Directory?
Users can browse and install apps from the sidebar or by visiting chatgpt.com/apps, and they can invoke an app by typing "@" followed by the app's handle. The App Directory is available to OpenAI's over 800 million users worldwide.
What responsibilities do third‑party developers have after a user connects to their app through the ChatGPT App Directory?
Once a connection is made, developers are solely responsible for how they store, process, and protect any user data they receive. OpenAI does not intervene in the handling of that data, placing full accountability on the app creators.