OpenAI expanded ChatGPT safeguards with a contact alert feature

OpenAI is expanding its efforts to protect ChatGPT users in situations where conversations may involve self-harm risk. The company has introduced a new Trusted Contact feature that allows automatic notification of a trusted person about a potential threat.

How Trusted Contact Works

The feature allows users to pre-designate a contact — a person who should be notified if signs of self-harm risk are detected in a ChatGPT conversation. If the system determines that a user is discussing possible self-injury or suicidal thoughts, it will send the trusted contact a notification with information about the potential danger. The mechanism uses OpenAI models to analyze text in real time.

The notification contains risk information but without the full context of the conversation — to protect user privacy. The trusted contact will receive a targeted alert and links to support resources. The feature is completely optional: the user must activate it themselves and choose who to trust with notifications.

This means the system will not send alerts without explicit consent.

Why This Matters for Platforms

User mental health is a growing concern for companies that create AI systems. Research shows that people in crisis situations often turn to ChatGPT with questions they are not ready to discuss with friends, parents, or doctors. Anonymity and lack of judgment make the AI assistant attractive for such conversations. OpenAI seeks to balance service accessibility with responsibility toward vulnerable users. Trusted Contact is not the first such mechanism. The company already offers integration with mental health helplines, warning messages in critical situations, and information about support resources. The approach aligns with global trends. Other major platforms (Meta, TikTok, Discord) are also developing tools to identify risk and alert loved ones. This is becoming standard practice in the industry.

Where This Fits in OpenAI's Strategy

OpenAI invests in several directions for user protection:

• Automatic detection of critical situations in conversations through ML models
• Built-in links to helplines, counselors, and support communities
• Educational materials on mental health and available resources
• Notifications and recommendations for parents of minor users
• Partnerships with support organizations (NAMI, SAMHSA, Crisis Text Line)

Trusted Contact is specifically designed for users who recognize risk and want a safety net — so that a loved one learns about the problem at an early stage and can offer support.

What This Means

Trusted Contact demonstrates AI companies' growing responsibility toward user safety. The mechanism does not replace professional help, but it can save time in a critical moment — when a trusted person learns about the problem and can intervene. For tens of millions of ChatGPT users, this adds one layer of protection to the platform's ecosystem.