OpenAI is previewing Private Safety Processing, a system designed to identify safety risks across multiple related API interactions while maintaining its Zero Data Retention (ZDR) promise. This update addresses the limitation of existing ZDR-compatible systems that evaluate each interaction individually, which may miss patterns visible only over longer contexts.
- The system identifies patterns across related interactions without giving OpenAI personnel access to underlying prompts or responses.
- Customer content remains on infrastructure controlled by the customer or is encrypted with keys controlled by the customer if stored on OpenAI infrastructure.
- Automated systems return limited safety signals when risks are identified, allowing enforcement decisions without exposing content to OpenAI staff.
- The feature is currently being tested with early customers and is planned for rollout in September alongside a technical white paper.
This approach allows OpenAI to continue offering ZDR deployments while ensuring AI agents remain within intended authority during complex tasks. It aims to resolve conflicts between safety monitoring requirements and enterprise security obligations regarding sensitive data.