OpenAI launches ChatGPT ads in U.K. with EU privacy compliance

OpenAI launched ChatGPT ads in the U.K. on June 2 under new EU privacy rules requiring explicit user consent. Ads serve personalized content only if users opt in; otherwise users see generic, contextual ads using limited data like location and time. Consent is the legal basis for data processing, not legitimate interest. OpenAI confirmed the launch via LinkedIn post by global head of ads Dave Dugan. Dentsu clients are part of the pilot, mirroring the U.S. launch in February.