ChatGPT launches Trusted Contact: a new milestone in AI security and user care

OpenAI launches Trusted Contact security feature for ChatGPT, allowing adult users to designate emergency contacts to notify friends and family if self-harm or suicidal tendencies are detected. This feature expands on the Teen Safety feature in September 2025 and triggers notifications after review by a human team.

Core conclusion

OpenAI officially rolls out the Trusted Contact security feature to all adult ChatGPT users on May 7, 2026. This optional feature allows users to designate an emergency contact. When OpenAI's AI system detects that the user's conversation with ChatGPT involves self-harm or suicidal tendencies, a notification will be triggered after review by the human review team to notify the emergency contact.

Key information

Release Date: 2026-05-07
Affects: All adult ChatGPT users (Globally 18+ / Korea 19+)
Core changes: Expanded from teenagers only to all adult users, AI evolves from "generating content" to "active care"
Audit Process: AI detection → User prompt → Manual team review → Notify emergency contact

Background: From teenage tragedy to national security

In September 2025, a 16-year-old boy chose to end his life after long-term communication with ChatGPT, triggering widespread global discussions on the safety of AI emotional companionship. The incident prompted OpenAI to launch an emergency contact feature for teenage users, which notifies parents or guardians when the system detects teenage users expressing self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

On May 7, 2026, OpenAI expanded this feature to all adult users. According to The Verge, this new feature called Trusted Contact not only retains the original security mechanism, but also introduces a more complete detection algorithm and manual review process.

Detailed explanation of Trusted Contact function

Dimensions	Specific content
Trigger conditions	AI detects that users discuss content related to self-harm or suicide
Notification content	Only inform "the user may need help", do not disclose the chat content
Review process	AI initial screening → Review by specially trained personnel → Send notification
Contact Requirements	18+ (Global) / 19+ (Korea)
Invitation validity	Accept within 7 days
Management method	Users can add/replace/delete contacts at any time

Key differences from the teen version

Youth Edition: Force notification to parents/guardians by default
Adult version: Completely optional (opt-in), user actively sets
New for adult version: Users can modify or delete emergency contacts at any time

ChatGPT Trusted Contact feature

Industry Impact

For ordinary users

-An extra layer of psychological safety net

Balance between privacy protection and security
Suitable for people who feel lonely but are unwilling to seek help

To the AI industry

Safety standards may be copied
Redefining the boundaries of responsibility for AI
Increased compliance pressure

For content creators and developers

Applications integrating the ChatGPT API need to understand this security protocol
AI Agent context management involves user status awareness

Adaptation suggestions

Ordinary users: It is recommended to actively enable Trusted Contact
API Developers: Embed similar security mechanisms
Content Creator: Introducing AI safety and ethics dimensions

Related extended information

Tool entry

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