OpenAI has published a developer interest form to explore whether app creators would prefer their users to log in using their ChatGPT accounts. If this capability is rolled out, OpenAI would effectively become an identity provider (IDP) for third-party platforms by enabling OAuth (Open Authorisation) logins through ChatGPT.
Interestingly, OpenAI has already trialed this concept through the recently launched Codex CLI, where users can authenticate using their ChatGPT credentials. According to OpenAI, only a limited set of user data — including name, email, and profile picture — is shared with third-party platforms, while chat history remains private.
The form is currently live on the OpenAI website. It invites responses from a broad spectrum of developers — ranging from apps with less than 1,000 weekly active users to those with up to 100 million users. The questionnaire seeks details about the developer, app type, existing use of OpenAI's API for AI features, and monetization strategies.
The integration of OAuth via ChatGPT accounts is expected to streamline user experience and could offer several advantages to both developers and OpenAI. As stated in the interest form, this authentication model could provide OpenAI insights into how users interact with various apps and services. This data could further enhance the personalization capabilities of ChatGPT.
This potential feature was earlier hinted at by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the OAuth login method was a user-requested feature and that the company had plans to implement it.
If successfully implemented, OpenAI could join the ranks of tech giants like Google, Apple, Microsoft Azure AD, and Facebook, who already function as IDPs. By becoming a central authentication layer for AI-driven apps, OpenAI can:
Increase brand recognition as a platform company.
Boost ChatGPT user retention by ensuring users stay logged in.
Enable easier ChatGPT integration into third-party platforms, whether via API or in-app sidebars (similar to GitHub Copilot or Google Gemini).
The ability to log in using ChatGPT credentials could make it more attractive for developers to embed OpenAI technologies within their products, further expanding OpenAI's ecosystem reach.
While this initiative shows promise, it remains at the exploratory phase. Developers and users alike will need to wait for further announcements before the OAuth login system becomes a standard offering for third-party apps.
OpenAI’s exploration into becoming an identity provider by enabling OAuth logins via ChatGPT marks a significant evolution in the company's platform strategy. If implemented, this move could streamline user access across multiple applications, improve personalization within ChatGPT, and encourage wider integration of OpenAI’s tools into third-party ecosystems.
By positioning itself alongside tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft in the authentication space, OpenAI stands to deepen user engagement, drive developer adoption, and strengthen its brand as a secure, reliable platform for AI-powered services. The early rollout in Codex CLI indicates OpenAI is already testing the waters.
However, the final implementation will likely depend on developer feedback and the response to the ongoing interest form. As the AI landscape continues to grow rapidly, OpenAI’s efforts to centralize identity and user experience may well shape the future of how users interact with intelligent applications. The next steps will be crucial in defining that trajectory.