Group Chats With ChatGPT Are Rolling Out Globally
OpenAI has officially launched group chat functionality for ChatGPT, expanding the feature to users worldwide. Following a pilot program in select Asia-Pacific regions, the capability to include up to 20 participants in a single AI-assisted conversation is now rolling out to all logged-in users across Free, Go, Plus, and Pro plans globally.
This development marks a shift in how users interact with the platform, moving from solitary queries to collaborative, multiuser environments where the AI serves as an active participant or facilitator.
Global Expansion Following Pilot Success
OpenAI announced the worldwide rollout on Thursday, November 20, 2025, following what the company described as positive early feedback from initial testing. The pilot phase began just a week prior, limited to users in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan.
According to company statements, the feature is designed to support collaborative efforts such as planning events, co-writing documents, or conducting shared research. While the rollout is currently underway, OpenAI has indicated that availability will expand to all eligible users over the coming days.
The functionality is integrated directly into the existing interface. Users can initiate a group chat by clicking the "people" icon located in the top right corner of a chat window. Participants can be added via a shareable link, and those invited can join using their existing OpenAI accounts or by creating a new one.
Feature Specifications and Limitations
The new group chat system operates with specific parameters designed for multiuser engagement:
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Capacity: A single group chat can host up to 20 human participants.
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Access: The feature is available on both mobile and web platforms for logged-in users across multiple subscription tiers, including the Free plan.
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Interaction: Participants can message each other and the AI within the same thread. The AI only responds when prompted or tagged, allowing for human-to-human conversation to occur alongside AI assistance.
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Usage Limits: Messages exchanged between human participants do not count against the usage rate limits associated with ChatGPT subscriptions. Limits only apply when the AI generates a response.
The interface organizes these collaborative threads in a distinct section of the sidebar to differentiate them from personal, one-on-one chat histories.
Privacy and Control Mechanisms
With the introduction of multiple users into a single thread, OpenAI has implemented specific privacy and moderation controls. The company has clarified that group chats are strictly invitation-only environments.
Regarding data privacy, OpenAI states that the content of group chats is not stored in an individual user’s "personal memory" within ChatGPT. The AI does not import information it "remembers" about individual users into the shared space unless specifically prompted to do so.
Control over the chat participants is distributed but hierarchical. Any participant in the group can remove other members, with the exception of the chat's creator. The creator can only leave the group voluntarily; they cannot be removed by other participants. Additionally, safeguards are in place for younger users, with content filtering and parental controls active for participants under the age of 18.
From Personal Assistant to Collaborative Tool
The release notes indicate that the system leverages advanced models, with some reports noting the use of "GPT-5.1 Auto" to manage the conversational flow and select the most appropriate model for specific prompts within the group setting.