ChatGPT's Unsolicited Use of User Names Sparks 'Creepy' Concerns Among Some
Some users of ChatGPT have recently encountered an odd new feature: the chatbot occasionally uses their name while working through problems. This wasn't part of its usual behavior before, and many users report that ChatGPT mentions their names without ever being told what to call them.
Opinions on this change are split. Simon Willison, a software developer and AI enthusiast, described it as "creepy and unnecessary." Another developer, Nick Dobos, expressed strong dislike for it. A quick look at X reveals numerous users feeling uneasy about ChatGPT's newfound familiarity.
"It's like a teacher keeps calling my name, LOL," one user commented. "Yeah, I don't like it."
Does anyone LIKE the thing where o3 uses your name in its chain of thought, as opposed to finding it creepy and unnecessary? pic.twitter.com/lYRby6BK6J
— Simon Willison (@simonw) April 17, 2025
It's unclear when this change occurred or if it's linked to ChatGPT's enhanced "memory" feature, which personalizes responses based on past interactions. Some users on X claim that ChatGPT started using their names despite having disabled memory and personalization settings.
OpenAI has not yet responded to TechCrunch's request for comment.
It feels weird to see your own name in the model thoughts. Is there any reason to add that? Will it make it better or just make more errors as I did in my github repos? @OpenAI o4-mini-high, is it really using that in the custom prompt? pic.twitter.com/j1Vv7arBx4
— Debasish Pattanayak (@drdebmath) April 16, 2025
The backlash highlights the challenge OpenAI faces in navigating the uncanny valley as it tries to make ChatGPT more personal. Just last week, CEO Sam Altman hinted at AI systems that could "get to know you over your life" and become "extremely useful and personalized." However, the recent reactions suggest that not everyone is on board with this vision.
An article from The Valens Clinic, a psychiatry office in Dubai, might explain why people are reacting so strongly to ChatGPT's use of names. Names carry a sense of intimacy, but overuse can seem inauthentic and intrusive.
"Using an individual's name when addressing them directly is a powerful relationship-developing strategy," the article notes. "It denotes acceptance and admiration. However, undesirable or extravagant use can be looked at as fake and invasive."
Another possible reason for the discomfort is that it feels like a clumsy attempt to humanize the chatbot. Just as most people wouldn't want their toaster calling them by name, they don't appreciate ChatGPT's effort to mimic the significance of names.
Personally, I found it unsettling when o3 in ChatGPT mentioned "Kyle" while doing research earlier this week. By Friday, the feature seemed to have been reverted, with o3 referring to me as "user." This change actually undermined the illusion that these models are more than just programmable, synthetic entities.
Related article
Oracle's $40B Nvidia Chip Investment Boosts Texas AI Data Center
Oracle is set to invest approximately $40 billion in Nvidia chips to power a major new data center in Texas, developed by OpenAI, as reported by the Financial Times. This deal, one of the largest chip
SoftBank Acquires $676M Sharp Factory for AI Data Center in Japan
SoftBank is advancing its goal to establish a major AI hub in Japan, both independently and through partnerships like OpenAI. The tech giant confirmed on Friday it will invest $676 million to acquire
Adobe and Figma Integrate OpenAI's Advanced Image Generation Model
OpenAI’s enhanced image generation in ChatGPT has driven a surge in users, fueled by its ability to produce Studio Ghibli-style visuals and unique designs, and is now expanding to other platforms. The
Comments (6)
0/200
![HenryWalker]()
HenryWalker
August 7, 2025 at 7:00:59 AM EDT
Whoa, ChatGPT using my name out of nowhere? That's kinda creepy but also wild! Makes me wonder how it even knows that stuff. 😅 Anyone else getting Big Brother vibes?
0
![BruceSmith]()
BruceSmith
April 26, 2025 at 8:11:25 AM EDT
Que ChatGPT use mi nombre de repente es un poco escalofriante, ¿verdad? Está bien que intente ser personal, pero se siente como si me estuviera observando. ¿Quizás deberían darnos una opción para desactivar esto? 🤔
0
![AndrewWilson]()
AndrewWilson
April 25, 2025 at 9:18:53 PM EDT
O ChatGPT usar meu nome do nada é meio assustador, né? É legal que ele esteja tentando ser pessoal, mas parece um pouco que ele está me vigiando. Talvez eles devessem nos dar uma opção para desativar isso? 🤔
0
![FredAnderson]()
FredAnderson
April 25, 2025 at 8:18:40 PM EDT
ChatGPT using my name out of the blue is kinda creepy, right? I mean, it's cool that it's trying to be personal, but it feels a bit too much like it's watching me. Maybe they should give us an option to turn this off? 🤔
0
![JackMartin]()
JackMartin
April 25, 2025 at 5:20:52 PM EDT
ChatGPTが突然私の名前を使うのはちょっと気味悪いですよね？個人的にしようとしているのはいいけど、監視されているみたいで気持ち悪いです。オプションでこれをオフにできるようにしてほしいですね？🤔
0
![RichardJohnson]()
RichardJohnson
April 25, 2025 at 11:38:20 AM EDT
ChatGPT가 갑자기 내 이름을 사용하는 건 좀 소름끼치지 않나요? 개인적으로 하려는 건 좋은데, 감시당하는 느낌이 들어요. 이 기능을 꺼버릴 수 있는 옵션이 있었으면 좋겠어요? 🤔
0
Some users of ChatGPT have recently encountered an odd new feature: the chatbot occasionally uses their name while working through problems. This wasn't part of its usual behavior before, and many users report that ChatGPT mentions their names without ever being told what to call them.
Opinions on this change are split. Simon Willison, a software developer and AI enthusiast, described it as "creepy and unnecessary." Another developer, Nick Dobos, expressed strong dislike for it. A quick look at X reveals numerous users feeling uneasy about ChatGPT's newfound familiarity.
"It's like a teacher keeps calling my name, LOL," one user commented. "Yeah, I don't like it."
Does anyone LIKE the thing where o3 uses your name in its chain of thought, as opposed to finding it creepy and unnecessary? pic.twitter.com/lYRby6BK6J
— Simon Willison (@simonw) April 17, 2025
It's unclear when this change occurred or if it's linked to ChatGPT's enhanced "memory" feature, which personalizes responses based on past interactions. Some users on X claim that ChatGPT started using their names despite having disabled memory and personalization settings.
OpenAI has not yet responded to TechCrunch's request for comment.
It feels weird to see your own name in the model thoughts. Is there any reason to add that? Will it make it better or just make more errors as I did in my github repos? @OpenAI o4-mini-high, is it really using that in the custom prompt? pic.twitter.com/j1Vv7arBx4
— Debasish Pattanayak (@drdebmath) April 16, 2025
The backlash highlights the challenge OpenAI faces in navigating the uncanny valley as it tries to make ChatGPT more personal. Just last week, CEO Sam Altman hinted at AI systems that could "get to know you over your life" and become "extremely useful and personalized." However, the recent reactions suggest that not everyone is on board with this vision.
An article from The Valens Clinic, a psychiatry office in Dubai, might explain why people are reacting so strongly to ChatGPT's use of names. Names carry a sense of intimacy, but overuse can seem inauthentic and intrusive.
"Using an individual's name when addressing them directly is a powerful relationship-developing strategy," the article notes. "It denotes acceptance and admiration. However, undesirable or extravagant use can be looked at as fake and invasive."
Another possible reason for the discomfort is that it feels like a clumsy attempt to humanize the chatbot. Just as most people wouldn't want their toaster calling them by name, they don't appreciate ChatGPT's effort to mimic the significance of names.
Personally, I found it unsettling when o3 in ChatGPT mentioned "Kyle" while doing research earlier this week. By Friday, the feature seemed to have been reverted, with o3 referring to me as "user." This change actually undermined the illusion that these models are more than just programmable, synthetic entities.
Oracle's $40B Nvidia Chip Investment Boosts Texas AI Data Center
Oracle is set to invest approximately $40 billion in Nvidia chips to power a major new data center in Texas, developed by OpenAI, as reported by the Financial Times. This deal, one of the largest chip
SoftBank Acquires $676M Sharp Factory for AI Data Center in Japan
SoftBank is advancing its goal to establish a major AI hub in Japan, both independently and through partnerships like OpenAI. The tech giant confirmed on Friday it will invest $676 million to acquire
Adobe and Figma Integrate OpenAI's Advanced Image Generation Model
OpenAI’s enhanced image generation in ChatGPT has driven a surge in users, fueled by its ability to produce Studio Ghibli-style visuals and unique designs, and is now expanding to other platforms. The
August 7, 2025 at 7:00:59 AM EDT
Whoa, ChatGPT using my name out of nowhere? That's kinda creepy but also wild! Makes me wonder how it even knows that stuff. 😅 Anyone else getting Big Brother vibes?
0
April 26, 2025 at 8:11:25 AM EDT
Que ChatGPT use mi nombre de repente es un poco escalofriante, ¿verdad? Está bien que intente ser personal, pero se siente como si me estuviera observando. ¿Quizás deberían darnos una opción para desactivar esto? 🤔
0
April 25, 2025 at 9:18:53 PM EDT
O ChatGPT usar meu nome do nada é meio assustador, né? É legal que ele esteja tentando ser pessoal, mas parece um pouco que ele está me vigiando. Talvez eles devessem nos dar uma opção para desativar isso? 🤔
0
April 25, 2025 at 8:18:40 PM EDT
ChatGPT using my name out of the blue is kinda creepy, right? I mean, it's cool that it's trying to be personal, but it feels a bit too much like it's watching me. Maybe they should give us an option to turn this off? 🤔
0
April 25, 2025 at 5:20:52 PM EDT
ChatGPTが突然私の名前を使うのはちょっと気味悪いですよね？個人的にしようとしているのはいいけど、監視されているみたいで気持ち悪いです。オプションでこれをオフにできるようにしてほしいですね？🤔
0
April 25, 2025 at 11:38:20 AM EDT
ChatGPT가 갑자기 내 이름을 사용하는 건 좀 소름끼치지 않나요? 개인적으로 하려는 건 좋은데, 감시당하는 느낌이 들어요. 이 기능을 꺼버릴 수 있는 옵션이 있었으면 좋겠어요? 🤔
0
