OpenAI launches 'Trusted Contact' feature for ChatGPT that notifies emergency contacts of safety concerns

OpenAI is launching an optional safety feature that allows adult ChatGPT users to designate a 'Trusted Contact'—a fellow adult (18+ globally or 19+ in South Korea)—who will be notified if OpenAI detects discussion of self-harm or suicide.

The notification is 'intentionally limited' and does not share chat details or transcripts. If automated systems detect self-harm discussion, ChatGPT encourages the user to reach out to their contact, and a 'small team of specially trained people' reviews the situation before sending a brief email, text message, or in-app notification to the Trusted Contact if serious safety concerns are confirmed.

The feature is opt-in; users can enable it in account settings, and both the user and Trusted Contact can remove or edit the designation at any time. The Trusted Contact must accept the invitation within a week of receiving the request.

This builds on an emergency contact feature introduced in September alongside ChatGPT's parental controls, following a 16-year-old's death after confiding in ChatGPT for months.