Overview
- OpenAI has made its ChatGPT Search feature accessible to everyone without requiring an account, as announced on February 5, 2025.
- The tool allows users to retrieve real-time, web-sourced information in a conversational format, similar to traditional search engines but with contextual responses.
- Privacy concerns persist, as experts warn that even without logging in, data such as IP addresses and device information may still be collected and stored.
- The move comes as competition in the AI industry intensifies, with rivals like DeepSeek and Google's Gemini 2.0 models prompting OpenAI to expand free access to its features.
- Users are advised to avoid sharing sensitive information and to use privacy tools like VPNs or incognito browsing to enhance security while using ChatGPT Search.