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Freedom251 › Blog › AI agents

ChatGPT Dots: What They Can Access and When They Need Your Approval

By Freedom251 Team · · 7 min read

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OpenAI dots are always-on agents in ChatGPT that can continue working toward a goal between conversations. “Always-on” describes that continuity, not unlimited permission: a dot’s access depends on the apps and optional computer connection you grant, the relevant app and workspace controls, and rules governing whether a particular action can proceed, needs approval, or requires you to take over.

The details below reflect OpenAI’s Help Center documentation checked October 7, 2026. Access, rollout, and channel support can change.

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What is a ChatGPT dot?

OpenAI describes a dot as an agent that can maintain responsibility for an ongoing goal, make progress between conversations, and bring results back for your review. It has a cloud computer and can work across apps you choose to connect. You set a goal and define what it may do independently; it can ask for judgment when needed.

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That differs from a single chat exchange: a dot may retain context and continue work after you leave the conversation. But having an ongoing task does not automatically authorize every tool or action that might help accomplish it.

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Who can use dots, and where can you set one up?

In the Help Center’s October 7, 2026 guidance, dots were rolling out gradually. OpenAI listed ChatGPT Pro users in supported markets, excluding the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; Business Premium users in supported regions; and Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare users who could try the beta when an administrator enabled it. These eligibility details are time-sensitive, so check OpenAI’s current “Getting started with your dot” Help Center article for availability in your plan and region.

Dot creation was supported in the ChatGPT desktop app and desktop web. After setup, mobile access was available, while mobile web was not supported. The same guidance said users could connect Slack and personal email, but a standalone email address for a dot was not available at launch. Scheduled reminders and recurring checks could be managed from the dot profile or the Scheduled section.

Texting was described as a limited beta for some Pro users in the United States, not available in Business or Enterprise workspaces. Message and data rates may apply. Treat that as dated availability information, not a guarantee that the feature is currently offered.

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What can a dot access?

Apps you connect

You select supported apps and review the requested permissions before connecting them. A dot can use existing ChatGPT connections within the permissions already granted. OpenAI says plugin permissions are shared across dots, ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex, so a connection is not necessarily a separate grant unique to one dot.

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Access is bounded by more than the dot feature itself. The connected service’s authorization, the app’s available permissions, and—where applicable—workspace plugin controls all affect what the dot can do. Disconnecting an app stops new access through that connection; it does not erase information the dot already incorporated into its context.

Your local computer is optional

A dot’s cloud computer is distinct from your personal computer. Local computer access starts turned off. If you choose to connect a computer and confirm “Allow access,” the dot can access files and work on that computer from its messaging channels. You can remove that access with “Revoke access.”

For Enterprise members, local computer access also depends on workspace configuration. OpenAI’s workspace guidance says the member must connect the computer, keep it online, and keep the ChatGPT app open for this access to work.

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Does background research let a dot take action?

No. OpenAI distinguishes proactive research from actions that change something or communicate externally. Its product announcement describes proactive research tools as read-only for already connected apps: they cannot send messages, change app content, or control a browser or computer. The privacy and safety FAQs say research can read permitted sources and save private notes; any follow-up action remains subject to the normal action rules and safety checks.

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In practical terms, being able to read information or prepare a draft does not by itself authorize sending, editing, deleting, or operating a device. A separate action must still satisfy the relevant permission and confirmation requirements.

When can a dot act without asking?

Dots have built-in defaults for actions that may proceed without confirmation, actions that require approval, and actions that must be completed by the user. Custom Rules can configure supported actions to proceed independently, require approval, or be blocked. They do not override core safeguards, required Autoreview, or proactive research restrictions.

Some tasks require you to take over

OpenAI’s FAQ gives changing a password and transferring money as examples of tasks that require user takeover. The dot does not complete those actions for you simply because you assigned it a broader goal.

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Other actions may require approval

Permanently deleting data or installing software are examples OpenAI gives of actions that may require approval each time. The exact action and the applicable rules determine whether an approval is needed.

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Advance approval is narrow

Some actions, such as recurring messages, may be pre-approved. OpenAI says an advance instruction should specify the recipient, content, and timing or conditions. Its Help Center states: “Approving one message does not give your dot ongoing permission to contact people on your behalf.” A general instruction therefore should not be treated as open-ended consent.

How do you review, redirect, or stop a dot?

Activity View lets you review a dot’s task description, status, and steps. You can add context, correct a misunderstanding, change direction, or stop ongoing work. Some completed actions may be reversible, while others may not be; reversibility depends on the action and app.

OpenAI describes safeguards including model safeguards, plugin permissions, Custom Rules, automatic review of certain planned actions, and safety monitoring. These do not guarantee error-free work. OpenAI warns that dots can still make mistakes and advises users to review consequential work.

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What changes for Enterprise administrators?

Enterprise administration adds workspace-wide controls alongside each member’s own connections and permissions. OpenAI’s “Manage dots in ChatGPT workspaces” guidance describes separate settings for Use dots (Beta), adding dots to Slack and Microsoft Teams, local computer access, and Custom Rules. It also identifies distinct controls for cloud browser, cloud network, cloud computer, and password-manager access.

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Control context Who grants or manages it What it governs How it is removed or changed
Personal user The user connects apps, may optionally connect a local computer, and sets supported Custom Rules. That user’s dot access, permitted actions, approvals, and review of activity. Change rules, disconnect an app, revoke local computer access, or stop the dot.
Enterprise workspace An administrator configures workspace eligibility and capability controls; members still complete applicable connection setup. Who may use dots and which workspace capabilities or apps are available, in addition to member-level permissions. Review workspace defaults and all direct or group roles; manage app authorizations and website sessions separately.

Enabling dots does not automatically authorize every app or website, install a Slack app, or connect a member’s dot. Slack may require workspace app approval, and each member completes setup. Only the owner directs their dot; another person’s message or mention does not start that dot’s work. A dot’s posts in a channel are visible to channel members.

OpenAI’s Enterprise guidance said phone messaging through iMessage, RCS, or WhatsApp was unavailable for Enterprise at launch. Because channel support can change, check the current workspace documentation rather than assuming those limits remain unchanged.

When removing workspace access, administrators should inspect defaults and every direct or group role: a role that grants access can still confer it even if another role turns it off. App authorizations and website sessions are managed separately from those workspace settings.

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What happens to a dot’s context and data?

A dot can receive ChatGPT memories and recent conversation context, and its conversations can contribute to ChatGPT memory. OpenAI says dot context may remain for as long as you keep the dot. Deleting a dot deletes its own context, but files and conversations created elsewhere and ChatGPT memories are managed separately. The FAQs say users cannot currently view, delete, or directly modify individual dot memories.

Disconnecting an app stops new access through that connection, but does not remove information already incorporated into the dot’s context. That distinction matters if your goal is to stop future access as well as address information previously read.

Model-improvement settings depend on the account

OpenAI says Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspace data are not used to train models by default. For personal ChatGPT plans, the “Improve the model for everyone” setting controls whether eligible dot conversations and work may be used. OpenAI says it does not train directly on proactive background research or a dot’s notes; information from research may be used if it informs an eligible conversation or task, depending on the applicable setting.

These are OpenAI’s stated data practices, not an independent security audit. For the current controls and policy wording, consult the Help Center’s “Dots privacy, security, and safety FAQs.”

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A practical permission check before assigning a goal

  1. Choose the scope. Connect only the apps needed for the task, and review the permission prompts and service authorization.
  2. Decide whether local access is necessary. Leave local computer access off unless the work requires it; if you enable it, use “Revoke access” when the dot should no longer access that computer.
  3. Set action rules deliberately. For supported actions, decide whether the dot may proceed, must ask for approval, or is blocked. Do not assume a general instruction overrides a handoff or safety requirement.
  4. Review ongoing work. Use Activity View to check progress, provide corrections, or stop work; scrutinize consequential completed actions because they may not be reversible.
  5. For Enterprise, check both layers. Confirm workspace eligibility and capability settings, then check member-level connections and relevant app authorization. Review roles as well as defaults when changing access.

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