The OpenAI ChatGPT app on macOS is not sandboxed and stores all the conversations in **plain-text** in a non-protected location:
~/Library/Application\ Support/com.openai.chat/conversations-{uuid}/
So basically any other running app / process / malware can read all your ChatGPT conversations without any permission prompt:
macOS has blocked access to any user private data since macOS Mojave 10.14 (6 years ago!). Any app accessing private user data (Calendar, Contacts, Mail, Photos, any third-party app sandbox, etc.) now requires explicit user access.
OpenAI chose to opt-out of the sandbox and store the conversations in plain text in a non-protected location, disabling all of these built-in defenses.
Just for reference: Good news! The new ChatGPT version now encrypts the local chats: https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/3/24191636/openai-chatgpt-mac-app-conversations-plain-text
I continue hoping they sandbox the app in the future for improved protection.
Pedro José Pereira Vieito