OpenAI has released an update for ChatGPT on Mac, introducing a direct integration with Apple’s Messages app that allows the artificial intelligence assistant to read and search through iMessage, SMS, and RCS conversations with user permission, according to coverage by Nettavisen and ITavisen. The feature has immediately triggered sharp warnings from privacy experts over data security risks and the broad access granted to third-party tech platforms.
Privacy Experts Issue Severe Warnings Over Mac Integration
Paul Walsh, an Irish artificial intelligence and ethics adviser who has worked with chatbots since 2015, published a blunt warning on X, as reported by Nettavisen.
“Never use iMessage, SMS or RCS again,” Walsh stated on X, according to Nettavisen. He added that users can never know if the person they are texting has added what he termed a “silent monitoring bot” to their conversation.
In a detailed post on Substack, Walsh emphasized that Apple Messages handles multiple communication tiers, combining standard text messages, Rich Communication Services (RCS), and end-to-end encrypted iMessages. Many users rely on iMessage specifically because it offers the same encryption standards as Signal, he noted.
Concerns Over Zero Control and Evolving Terms
Malgorzata Agnieszka Cyndecka, a law professor at the University of Bergen, shares these privacy concerns. When asked if the situation is as serious as Walsh suggests, Cyndecka told Nettavisen that it is difficult for users to maintain control over personal data handed over to ChatGPT, particularly because the data may involve other people who never consented.
https://x.com/Paul__Walsh/status/2091262972635332762
“So it’s zero control,” Cyndecka stated to Nettavisen.
Cyndecka pointed to a test she conducted with her own university students, where participants struggled to comprehend OpenAI’s privacy policy. Beyond confusing document design, she highlighted a broader tech industry trend where major companies alter their terms of service without clearly notifying users.
Did you know? Apple’s Messages app bridges traditional cellular text protocols like SMS and RCS with proprietary internet-based protocols like iMessage, creating complex privacy boundaries when third-party tools request access.
Bypassing Traditional Backdoors
“Governments no longer need to press Apple for a backdoor (into private iMessage, SMS or RCS messages). OpenAI just built one for them,” he wrote, as cited by Nettavisen.
Asked if she plans to abandon iMessage herself, Cyndecka acknowledged the growing difficulty of maintaining digital privacy. “It is actually getting to the point where you have to be careful about what you send,” she told Nettavisen, noting that the need for caution now extends beyond professional environments into strictly private communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the new ChatGPT Mac update do?
The update connects ChatGPT directly to Apple’s Messages app, allowing the AI to read and search iMessage, SMS, and RCS conversations if the user grants permission, according to Nettavisen.
Why are privacy experts concerned?
Experts like Paul Walsh and Professor Malgorzata Agnieszka Cyndecka warn that users lose control over personal data shared with AI models, and that terms of service changes make it difficult to track how data is handled.
Does this affect encrypted messages?
According to Paul Walsh’s analysis cited by Nettavisen, connecting AI tools to messaging apps undermines the practical privacy protections of platforms that handle sensitive or encrypted conversations.
What are your thoughts on integrating AI assistants directly into messaging applications? Share your perspective in the comments below.