User ChatGPT interactions found in search engine results

Luke Meredith

One of the latest OpenAI tests has raised data security as well as privacy fears when it revealed ChatGPT chats had leaked to search engines like Google and Bing.

The step raised particular concern among individuals running companies that engage AI (artificial intelligence) platforms for office work tasks.

Through 31 July 2025, all ChatGPT “share” option users had the choice of opting for their chats to become searchable by search engines. Even though the procedure of doing this involved the creation of a shareable link, everybody may have overlooked the part that involved indexing their chats for public searchability.

Once indexed, such discussions had become readable by all, exposing everything from rebranded CVs to rival business discussions.

For professionals, businesspeople or anybody writing emails, plans or customer replies through ChatGPT, the release revealed a very real danger. TechCrunch reported that there had previously been one case of a person’s job application data revealed through one public chat that linked them to their LinkedIn page, and another that involved an unsuitable but irresponsible discussion of whether or not microwaves are safe.

OpenAI subsequently shut down the feature, acknowledging that there were “too many ways for people to unknowingly share things they didn’t mean to”. The company emphasised the point that chat is, by design, private, and searchable only when people actually share them. This episode, however, still remains a reminder of just how public private chat can become.

This isn’t new either. Google has also cached publicly available documents on Google Drive before now too. As Google has indicated, the search engine doesn’t decide whether something becomes public; that lies on people that set conditions for public viewability. There’s one message for CEOs: deal with whatever comes from ChatGPT just as you would deal with another message that might end up on the internet. Take a look at a conversation before you share it to ensure there’s proprietary content, personally identifiable data or something that might be misconstrued.

When there is a heightened infusion of AI into company activities, there should be strict company guidelines on program use as well as what you can put on them, such as staff training on options of platforms, previewing before posting and keeping abreast of provider changes.

The virtual sector prizes transparency, but there are risks as well. The ones utilising AI programs must always be on the lookout, because whatever you enter into the chat box might one day come back.

It’s highly unlikely your ChatGPT results will be found on the first page of any Google search results. However, your business’ website can. Talk to our team at Engage Web today about making this a reality.

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Luke Meredith

Content Editor at Engage Web

At home in both the digital sector and the world of communications, Luke thrives on deadlines and has held roles in healthcare, retail and digital marketing, gaining a sound knowledge of a wide range of sectors. He’s a massive swot as well, holding a first-class degree in BA Communication and Media, and now uses his writing skills and keen editorial eye in his role as Content Editor here. Luke helps to oversee our clients’ content requirements, while also looking after a pool of freelance writers across three continents.