Since the launch of ChatGPT it is impossible to change the phone number associated with an OpenAI/ChatGPT account after initial verification. Multiple users have emphasized the problem: when their verified phone number becomes inaccessible or outdated, users have no mechanism to update or replace it.
The official guidance provided by OpenAI support instructs users to delete their existing account entirely and create a new account using a different email and phone number. This procedure generates significant issues:
- Complete loss of data tied to the original account.
- Disruption of active subscriptions or ongoing services.
- Increased risk that the original number could later be reassigned to another person, potentially causing issues when they attempt account creation or verification.
Beyond the practical difficulties, this policy raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant European legislation:
- Right to Rectification (Article 16 GDPR): Users must have the ability to correct inaccurate or outdated personal data.
- Right of Access (Article 15 GDPR): Users must have effective access to their data and the ability to manage it adequately.
- Right to Data Portability and Erasure: These rights become effectively meaningless if users must delete an entire account to correct a single piece of information.
Moreover, the stated justification—anti-fraud measures—does not sufficiently explain the absence of a controlled and secure mechanism for updating phone numbers. Secure alternatives (two-factor verification, identity checks, or waiting periods) could easily mitigate these risks.
OpenAI must urgently reconsider its current policy, not only to ensure compliance with GDPR and European regulations but, more importantly, to satisfy user needs.
8 Likes
I’m soon need to get rid of my current phone number. The fact that I have to delete account just to change my phone number is so dumb. I don’t wanna loose all my stuff there…
3 Likes
This issue has more than 3 years. Open AI account became too important. When I first started using chatgpt was just a fun thing. I signed with Google to be faster and couldn’t care less about the account. 2 years later, it has way too much information, but the account is the same. No password, just Google sign in and associated with a old phone number I don’t even have access anymore. Its crucial to be able to update my information and setup a proper password. Imagine a Google account that you can’t update your info. Its insane. Open AI is too big now, it need proper secure account and updated information.
4 Likes
Agree this is a huge security issue and I don’t understand why OpenAI hasn’t addressed it. If a number associated with your account gets recycled to someone else (carriers only quarantine the numbers for a few months at most), that person who gets the new number can now potentially access your account. Quite easily, actually. It is insane that there’s not a way to change the number associated with your account.
openAI, please address this!
3 Likes
I have been talking with openai team via email, and everytime the same robotic response:
Thanks for contacting OpenAI. Currently we do not support updating the phone number added to the account. You can learn more here: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/9135134-how-to-change-the-phone-number-associated-with-your-account.
If you decide to delete your account, we will delete personal data associated with your account, including your phone number, except where retention is required to comply and evidence compliance with applicable law, establish, exercise and defend legal claims, and safety and security purposes.
That’s the thing! I don’t wanna delete whole account just to change phone number. This is turbo dumb
4 Likes
If they are afraid people would change phone numbers to have many accounts they can just make it possible to change phone number once a year for example. There is no need to be so stubborn.
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What I don’t get is that this seems to be the opposite of security. My old number is now recycled, which means another person has it. What happens if/when THAT person tries to sign up for ChatGPT with that number? Will they be blocked? Or will they be able to eventually access my account? This makes no sense at all. People’s phone numbers change. That’s a thing and I can’t believe OpenAI hasn’t considered this.
Deleting and creating a new account is NOT a solution. I’d lose my data, credits, etc.
2 Likes
Exactly. Can we have someone from the team here to get this together? The fact that new users do t need to register phone is even more ridiculous. Just let me delete existing one then
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Really? New users don’t even have to register phone number? And we are stuck with phone numbers that no longer belong to us. This is insane.
I would delete my account, even losing everything, but I heard if you do, you cannot register another one with the same email.
1 Like
Looks like for ChatGPT only, not API, but still, let me delete my wrong number from my account sama…
2 Likes
It is insane that we cannot change our account email or phone number if they change. We invest a lot of time and money into the chats and moving or recreating them is extremely inconvenient, time-consuming, and difficult. This is just crazy.
Honestly, it is infuriating. I know as a matter of fact that someone else now uses my old number but I cant change it. And I have too much data linked to my account that I cant just delete it. And I also wonder if this other person now using my old number can have access to my account. It’s a very odd system.
