In short. Apple says Siri's ChatGPT extension obscures the IP address but provides ChatGPT with a general location derived from it.
Definition: No. When Siri uses Apple's ChatGPT extension, Apple documents that the IP address is obscured from ChatGPT while a separate general location, approximated from the internet connection's IP address, is provided.
Key facts
- Apple's iPhone User Guide says that a request, its attachments, and limited data such as the current time zone, country, device type, language, and feature being used are sent to ChatGPT.
- The same guide states that the IP address is obscured from ChatGPT and that a general location is provided for fraud prevention and compliance with applicable law.
- Apple's legal ChatGPT Extension & Privacy page defines that general location as an approximation made by matching the internet connection's IP address to a geographic region.
- The extension is off by default. Apple says Siri asks before information is shared, and the iPhone guide documents an option to let Siri send requests automatically without asking.
- Without a ChatGPT account, Apple says only the information described above is sent to ChatGPT. When you sign in, your ChatGPT account settings and OpenAI's data privacy policies apply.
What does Apple mean by an obscured IP address?
Apple uses “obscured” for the IP address that ChatGPT receives through the extension. Its legal privacy page describes the separate location signal as an approximation made by matching the IP address of the internet connection to a geographic region. The documented result is therefore an obscured address together with a general location signal.
Apple's public description leaves the technical method for obscuring the address and the precision of the geographic region unspecified. It does not describe a relay address or a replacement address for this extension.
When does Siri send a request to ChatGPT?
The extension has to be enabled before information is sent. Apple's legal page says that Siri analyzes a request to determine whether you explicitly asked ChatGPT to process it. An explicit request is sent directly to ChatGPT. When the request does not explicitly ask for ChatGPT, Siri analyzes whether ChatGPT may have useful results, then asks whether you want to use it.
The iPhone guide says you control when ChatGPT is used and are asked before information is shared. It also documents a setting that allows automatic sending:
Settings > Siri > ChatGPT > Confirm Requests
Turning off Confirm Requests allows Siri to send requests automatically without asking, according to the guide. The request can include the content you choose, attachments, and limited request data.
What changes when you use a ChatGPT account?
Apple's legal page, dated 14 September 2026, says that accountless use sends only the information described in its data section and that OpenAI receives no information tied to your Apple Account. It also says OpenAI must process that information to fulfil the request and must not store the information or responses unless applicable law requires it.
When you are signed in, the same page says that OpenAI may log your request, attachments, and session history, and may use that data to train or improve its models under the account settings and privacy policies that apply. Apple also says it collects limited information about requests to ChatGPT and its responses, such as the number of requests sent or the approximate size of the request or response, to operate the service and prevent fraud.
Related terms
- Which location signals can affect ChatGPT search results?
- Does ChatGPT send account details to external search providers?
- ChatGPT search
FAQ
Does obscuring the IP address stop ChatGPT from receiving location information?
No. Apple's legal privacy page says ChatGPT receives a general location approximated by matching the internet connection's IP address to a geographic region. The page does not specify the region's precision.
Does Siri always send the request automatically?
No. Apple says Siri asks before sharing when the request does not explicitly ask for ChatGPT. The iPhone guide also documents a Confirm Requests setting that can allow automatic sending.
Sources
- Apple, "Turn on ChatGPT on iPhone", accessed 17 October 2026
- Apple, "ChatGPT Extension & Privacy", 14 September 2026
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