What changed: According to Webrazzi, OpenAI updated ChatGPT's Chrome extension so it can read a user's open tabs and bring that content into a conversation; 9to5Google and The Decoder confirmed the same change. In Chat mode, ChatGPT uses open-tab information to answer questions. ChatGPT Work goes further, using computer-use capabilities to fill forms, send messages, download files, and organize or group tabs on the user's behalf. By default, ChatGPT asks for approval before acting on a new site, with extra permission prompts for file uploads/downloads and browser-history access. The updated extension has reached 7 million users according to Chrome Web Store data and is now available on all ChatGPT plans.
Who is affected
The source doesn't name a specific business type or sector; it says the update is rolling out to everyone who uses ChatGPT's web or desktop app with the Chrome extension, across all ChatGPT plans.
What it means for your business
For businesses using ChatGPT's Chrome extension, this means pulling information straight from open browser tabs into ChatGPT, and with ChatGPT Work, automating repetitive tasks such as filling forms, sending messages, and downloading files.
What to do
Update the ChatGPT Chrome extension, test the tab-tagging feature in Chat mode, and if you use ChatGPT Work, review the new permission settings for site approval, file access, and browser history.
When it takes effect
The source gives no separate effective date; the update was announced and already rolled out to all ChatGPT plans as of October 16, 2026.
Source (press reports): Webrazzi, Search Engine Journal, 9to5Google, The Decoder
