OpenAI could turn ChatGPT into a social app with built-in direct messaging feature

ChatGPT

OpenAI appears to be gradually transforming ChatGPT into an all-in-one social platform, moving well beyond its roots as a conversational AI tool. The company is reportedly working on a direct messaging (DM) feature that would allow users to communicate and collaborate inside ChatGPT, signalling its intent to compete with social media platforms and communication apps.

According to developer and engineer Tibor Blaho, the new feature — codenamed “Calpico” and “Calpico Rooms” — was recently spotted in the beta version of ChatGPT for Android. Blaho, who leads engineering at AIPRM.com, noted that the feature seems similar to the one already available on OpenAI’s Sora app for iPhone, where users can exchange direct messages while collaborating on video projects.

If implemented, ChatGPT DMs could enable users to brainstorm ideas, share prompts, co-create images, plan projects, or simply chat within a shared AI environment. This could transform ChatGPT from a solitary AI assistant into a collaborative workspace for creators, professionals, and developers. Blaho added that while users will be able to communicate within shared sessions, individual ChatGPT memories will remain private — meaning no participant will have access to another user’s chat history or saved data.

In addition, there are hints of an invite-link feature that would allow users to create group chats or shared collaboration rooms. However, there is still no clarity on whether the feature will include end-to-end encryption similar to platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram — something that could be critical for user trust given OpenAI’s growing focus on consumer applications.

The possible rollout of DMs comes as OpenAI continues to expand ChatGPT’s functionality. In recent months, the company introduced the “Apps SDK,” which lets developers build custom AI-powered apps directly within ChatGPT — a clear challenge to Apple’s App Store and Google Play. It also unveiled autonomous ChatGPT Agents capable of browsing the web, filling forms, and executing complex online tasks on behalf of users.

Just weeks earlier, OpenAI launched Sora 2, its upgraded video generation model, followed by a TikTok-style app where users can create and share AI-generated clips. Together, these developments paint a clear picture of OpenAI’s long-term vision: to position ChatGPT as a versatile, interactive ecosystem that merges communication, creativity, and productivity.

However, privacy remains a sticking point. OpenAI faced backlash earlier this year when its “share” feature made some user chats inadvertently discoverable on Google Search. The company later worked with search engines to remove the indexed chats and quietly rolled back the feature. If ChatGPT DMs are indeed on the way, how OpenAI handles user privacy and data security will be crucial to its acceptance.