What is ChatGPT Atlas, and why does its safety matter?
ChatGPT Atlas is an internet browser launched by OpenAI on October 21, 2025. It’s a Chromium-based browser (currently available on Mac only) that heavily relies on AI as its driving mechanism. The meaning of artificial intelligence in this context is OpenAI’s ChatGPT model that is integrated in the browser’s sidebar and search engine (called ChatGPT search).
If you’ve never had to have ChatGPT explained to you, all you need to know is that the new Atlas browser uses the same core artificial intelligence to process everything that you type in it and help you find answers, services, and solutions as soon and as precisely as possible. You can think of it as a browser that automatically tailors search results according to your previous searches and browsing sessions, optimizes mundane tasks (such as shopping for groceries online), and learns from your sessions to deliver even better results each time you use it.
While it sounds nice and tidy on paper, ChatGPT Atlas is definitely a browser that poses questions to cybersecurity researchers. Cyberattacks and data privacy issues are among the top risks that cybersecurity experts note when discussing AI technology.1 Language learning models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT learn from user data, specifically questions and information users present when conversing with the AI model. ChatGPT Atlas, on the other hand, expands this scope, collecting information such as the pages the user visits and the page content. While data collection itself is not a cyber risk, it paints a target on AI browsers, prompting questions about whether ChatGPT Atlas is capable of protecting user data from malicious prompt attacks and similar cyber threats.
How safe is OpenAI’s new Atlas browser?
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas browser is not the safest browser out there. While OpenAI claims it has prioritized safety when building the browser,2 cybersecurity experts currently see AI browsers as a new attack surface rather than a safer alternative to current browsers.3
Along with conventional browser security concerns, ChatGPT Atlas (and other AI-based browsers) pose risks such as malicious prompt injection and an increased threat to users’ privacy. Although OpenAI cannot run code in its browser, download files, or install extensions (without users' permission), it still collects a vast amount of user data. That could become a threat to users if malicious actors managed to hijack browsing sessions or otherwise attack the browser.
Common discussions regarding AI safety concerns often revolve around questions such as “Is ChatGPT safe?” or “Is ChatGPT private?” While these questions can be raised about any existing LLM or AI tool, early reviews suggest that, currently, ChatGPT Atlas does not present a solid case for user safety online.3
Pros and cons of using the ChatGPT Atlas browser
When it comes to pros and cons, ChatGPT Atlas can be proud of its seamless integration with its flagship ChatGPT model. However, its privacy concerns and exclusivity (the browser is currently available on Mac only) leave much to be desired. Below, you’ll find more pros and cons of the ChatGPT Atlas browser.
Pros
The pros of ChatGPT Atlas include:
Integrated AI features. Since it’s a product of OpenAI, the Atlas browser introduces features such as summarization, comparison, and drafting directly within the browser sidebar. That saves time for the user, making it more convenient to surf the web.
Smooth interface. Users and analysts have praised Atlas for its simple and clean design. However, it’s worth mentioning that some of the first-time users might need a readjustment period.
Memories feature. Atlas browser memorizes users’ queries to tailor future requests according to the provided information. For example, if a user prefers meeting notes to have headlines, the browser will remember that and present the future notes in that manner.
Chrome extension support. ChatGPT Atlas is based on the Chromium browser. That means it supports the extensions from Chrome Web Store, making it easy for users to customize the browser according to their needs.
Cons
Atlas cons mostly revolve around browser security risks. The most prevalent drawbacks include:
Privacy concerns. ChatGPT Atlas browser collects more user data than regular browsers. That could make the browser an attractive target for cybercriminals, increasing the risk for Atlas users.
Security concerns. According to Forbes, the Atlas browser is 90% more vulnerable to phishing attacks than Google Chrome.4 Cybersecurity analysts note the browser’s susceptibility to malicious prompts, suggesting that the browser’s not ready for sensitive use such as banking or work.
Scope limitations. Since Atlas is a relatively new browser on the market, it still has a lot of limitations. For now, only Mac users can try the browser, and even then, its full potential is available to ChatGPT premium tier (Plus, Pro, and Business) members only.2 Some users have also noted that the browser even lacks a profiles feature, allowing only one profile per account.
What are the common safety and privacy concerns in ChatGPT Atlas?
The common security and privacy concerns in ChatGPT Atlas include all the AI safety concerns attributed to third-party AI models. These can range from data privacy concerns to AI hallucinations. Below, you can find the most common risks for ChatGPT Atlas.
Data collection
Atlas’s policy indicates data may be processed internationally.5 While it offers controls to manage history and opt out of data collection for training, privacy risk remains if sensitive data is shared through the browser’s AI features. What’s also concerning is that OpenAI claims not to store the data for long periods of time, yet its Privacy policy doesn’t specify the exact timeframe.
Malicious prompt injections
According to some reports, Atlas can be vulnerable to attacks such as malicious prompt injection (or malicious code injection). During these attacks, cybercriminals can manipulate the model or exfiltrate sensitive data through altered pages or hidden malicious instructions, causing data breaches and exposing users to risks such as identity theft.
AI hallucinations
AI hallucinations are a phenomenon in which an AI model starts inventing and claiming false or nonsensical statements due to data gaps and overreliance on predictions. While ChatGPT Atlas uses the GPT-5 engine (one of the best LLM models available), its “context‑aware assistance” that follows across tabs can unintentionally mix workstreams if not carefully configured.
How to stay safe when browsing in ChatGPT Atlas
To stay safe when using ChatGPT Atlas, users should be vigilant about the information they’re feeding to the browser. However, that alone isn’t enough. Below you can find additional security measures that will help safeguard your personal data while using the ChatGPT Atlas browser.
Turn the browser memories off
Turning the browser memories feature off means that ChatGPT Atlas won’t monitor the pages you visit and their content. While it’s not an ultimate privacy solution, it can reduce the risk of exposing too much of your browsing data. You can turn off browser memories by finding the feature in the browser’s settings.
Minimize what you share
Since AI browsers are at increased risk of suffering prompt injections, malicious actors can potentially get hold of any information that you share with the Atlas browser. To avoid that, users should carefully evaluate the prompts they use and avoid including personal information such as email, mobile phone number, or other personally identifiable information (PII). Assume that the browser collects anything you type in it.
Keep the AI agent on “read-only”
Enable agent mode only if necessary. Otherwise, confirm actions explicitly and shy away from granting broad permissions to the browser. Avoid visiting sites that include explicit content and keep agent access paused on banking, finance, and other high‑risk pages.
Verify the answers
While it’s hard to prevent AI hallucinations, you can still limit the risk of AI-spread misinformation. The simplest way to do it is to double-check the answers using a trusted search engine. While it may feel counterintuitive, it’s the most reliable way to avoid getting wrong information.
Regularly purge stored data
Occasionally clearing your browsing history and cookies helps keep your browser safe and limits the risk of data loss during cyberattacks. Make sure to scrape personal data, put limits on browser extensions, and keep the browser up to date.
Use a VPN
A VPN can be a great tool to safeguard yourself against online snoopers. It can change your IP address and encrypt your online traffic, making it difficult for malicious actors to see what you’re browsing. In addition, services like NordVPN offer extra benefits like Threat Protection Pro™, which blocks malicious websites, malware downloads, and online trackers (it includes an ad blocker, too). While not an unassailable solution, it can help you increase your privacy when using the Atlas browser.
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Alternatives to ChatGPT Atlas browser
Alternatives to ChatGPT Atlas browser range from traditional browsers (like Brave or DuckDuckGo) to machine learning (ML)–based options. Privacy and security-wise, the best alternatives to the Atlas browser include:
- Brave + Leo. The Brave browser is considered one of the most secure traditional browsers that emphasizes privacy. Its Leo assistant is an additional measure that accepts anonymous requests and lets users explore AI features without signing in. However, it’s important to note that any and all services (including cloud LLMs) can cause at least some data exposure.
- DuckDuckGo + AI chat. DuckDuckGo’s browser is privacy-focused and offers an integrated chatbot (Duck.ai) for additional requests. While it’s not an AI browser, it limits tracking, blocks ads, and provides options to chat privately with AI chatbots.
- Arc + Arc Max. Arc is often highlighted for productivity features rather than strict privacy, so users would have to tune its AI features and data sharing to their needs. With proper setup, Arc can provide a relatively safe browsing experience along with an efficient AI model. Arc Max also allows users to manage each provided AI feature separately, giving a more flexible customization.
- Perplexity Comet. Unlike traditional web browsers, Perplexity’s Comet browser is an AI-based option. While its liabilities are the same as the ones found in the Atlas browser, Comet is frequently cited as a top Atlas alternative with strong task automation and numerous head-to-head benchmarks.
References
1 Caballar, R. (2025, October 31). 10 AI dangers and risks and how to manage them. IBM. https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/10-ai-dangers-and-risks-and-how-to-manage-them
2 OpenAI. (2025, October 21) Introducing ChatGPT Atlas. https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-atlas/
3 Nolan, B. (2025, October 23). Experts warn OpenAI’s ChatGPT Atlas has security vulnerabilities that could turn it against users—revealing sensitive data, downloading malware, and worse | Fortune. Fortune. https://fortune.com/2025/10/23/cybersecurity-vulnerabilities-openai-chatgpt-atlas-ai-browser-leak-user-data-malware-prompt-injection/
4 Doffman, Z. (2025, October 30). ChatGPT Atlas ‘90% more vulnerable’ to attacks than Google Chrome, report says. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2025/10/27/chatgpt-atlas-soundly-beaten-by-google-chrome-browse-carefully/
5 ChatGPT Atlas - AI Browser. (n.d.). ChatGPT Atlas - AI Browser. https://gpt-atlas.com/zh/privacy-policy
