ChatGPT Desktop App Gains Access to macOS Messages Database The ChatGPT desktop application has been updated to integrate with macOS Messages, enabling it to read iMessage, SMS, and RCS conversations and draft or send replies. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, released the feature this week, targeting Macs with Apple silicon processors. Apple, which has reportedly faced potential legal action from OpenAI, was not involved in the announcement. The integration allows the app to analyze message archives, summarizing communication patterns without requiring user input for basic reading functions. By default, the app requires explicit approval for outgoing messages, a safeguard OpenAI emphasizes users should maintain. However, users can disable this setting, allowing the model to send messages without prompts. OpenAI’s guidance warns against this, highlighting the potential risks of automated message generation. A known flaw in the system means certain tasks can bypass the approval prompt entirely, a safety mechanism the company has documented but not resolved. The feature is available across all ChatGPT desktop plans, with enhanced capabilities in the ChatGPT Work and Codex versions. It does not support Intel-based Macs, relying instead on Apple’s existing permissions for accessing the Messages database. Apple’s end-to-end encryption for Messages protects data in transit and on devices but does not prevent authorized software from reading decrypted content. This distinction, often overlooked by users, allows OpenAI to access message archives without direct collaboration from Apple. The integration aligns with OpenAI’s recent trend of collecting private data for convenience, including keystroke logging and bank account connections.#apple #chatgpt #openai #macos #messages_database
