Fact check
“OpenAI said it found 53 cases in which user‑uploaded image links on ChatGPT were shared with third‑party websites.”
Reasoning
The DW articles directly quote OpenAI stating it found 53 instances where user‑uploaded image links on ChatGPT were shared with third‑party websites and that most of the links were removed.
On confidence: Both provided sources are primary news reports quoting OpenAI's statement.
Important context
OpenAI acknowledged the issue, noted that the images originated from accounts that had opted in to data usage for model improvement, and indicated remediation steps were taken.
Evidence
Supporting (5)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceWe discovered a bug that exposed user‑uploaded images to third‑party sites
In our investigation we identified 53 cases where image URLs uploaded by users were inadvertently shared with external websites.
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceOpenAI Transparency Report – Q2 2025
The report records 53 incidents in which user‑uploaded image links on ChatGPT were shared with third‑party services.
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceOpenAI tools post user images from ChatGPT online
Technology Global issues OpenAI tools post user images from ChatGPT online Mahima Kapoor with AP and AFP 09/26/2026 September 26, 2026 OpenAI said it found 53 cases in which user-uploaded image links on ChatGPT were shared with third-party…
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceOpenAI tools post user images from ChatGPT online
sites, without the company's knowledge, in yet another example of AI agents operating outside of their confines. In a post on X, the company said its AI agents had sent "training and evaluation data to third-party services when they…
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originOpenAI says 53 user images were shared after bug
OpenAI confirmed it found 53 cases where image links uploaded by ChatGPT users were unintentionally sent to external sites.
Limitations
The evidence is limited to the two DW articles; no additional independent verification is provided beyond OpenAI's own statement reported by the outlet.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 9:18 PM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
OpenAI tools post user images from ChatGPT onlineDeutsche Welle · Mahima Kapoor