OpenAI introduces Trusted Contact feature to alert third parties when users mention self-harm in ChatGPT conversations

OpenAI announced Trusted Contact, a new feature that allows adult ChatGPT users to designate a trusted person (such as a friend or family member) to receive an automated alert if the user mentions self-harm in a conversation.

When OpenAI's system detects conversational triggers suggesting suicidal ideation, it first sends the notification to OpenAI's human safety team for review (aiming to review within one hour), and if deemed a serious safety risk, ChatGPT sends a brief alert to the designated contact via email, text message, or in-app notification—without disclosing conversation details to protect privacy.

The feature follows parental oversight safeguards introduced in September that give parents safety notifications for teens' accounts, and follows existing automated alerts encouraging users to seek professional health services; however, both Trusted Contact and parental controls are optional, and users can maintain multiple ChatGPT accounts to circumvent them.