Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsOpenAI launched Operator in the United States on January 23, 2025, then expanded its rollout to additional markets the following month while excluding the EU and several other European countries. That exclusion described Operator’s early rollout, not the current status of the feature: OpenAI later integrated Operator’s website interaction capabilities into ChatGPT agent mode, and its current Help Center describes agent access for eligible plans in supported countries.
What Operator was and when OpenAI launched it
OpenAI introduced Operator as a research preview on January 23, 2025. It was initially available to ChatGPT Pro users in the United States. Rather than simply answering questions, Operator used its own browser to view webpages and interact with them by typing, clicking and scrolling. OpenAI described examples such as filling out forms and ordering groceries, and said the system was built on a Computer-Using Agent model trained to work with graphical interfaces. OpenAI’s launch announcement also cautioned that the preview could make mistakes, particularly on complex interfaces.
Where the February 2025 rollout reached—and where it did not
On February 21, 2025, TechCrunch reported that OpenAI was expanding Operator access to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom and additional countries where ChatGPT was available. The report said the rollout excluded the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland at that time. This is a dated account of Operator’s 2025 rollout, not a current country-availability list. TechCrunch’s February 21, 2025 report does not establish why those locations were excluded.
Why OpenAI excluded the EU
The available announcements establish that the EU and several other European locations were outside the February rollout. In July 2025, OpenAI said it was still working on access for the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Those statements do not establish a specific reason for the restriction, so it would be misleading to attribute it to a particular law or regulatory issue. OpenAI’s July 17, 2025 ChatGPT agent announcement framed EEA and Swiss access as still being enabled, without giving a reason.
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How Operator became ChatGPT agent
On July 17, 2025, OpenAI introduced ChatGPT agent, combining Operator’s website interaction capabilities with deep research and ChatGPT’s conversational abilities. At launch, OpenAI said agent access was rolling out to Pro, Plus and Team users, with Enterprise and Education planned in the following weeks. The announcement also gave launch-era usage limits of 400 messages per month for Pro users and 40 per month for other paid users, with additional flexible credit-based options. Those figures describe the July 2025 launch and should not be taken as current limits.
OpenAI’s current Help Center says Operator’s functionality is integrated into ChatGPT agent mode and that the standalone Operator website is no longer accessible. In other words, people looking for the original standalone Operator experience will not find it as a separate product; its website interaction capability is part of agent mode. OpenAI’s ChatGPT agent Help Center article describes that transition.
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Can you use ChatGPT agent in the EU now?
OpenAI’s current Help Center describes agent mode as available on Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans in supported countries and territories. OpenAI’s current supported-country list includes EU countries and Switzerland. However, appearing on the general supported-country list does not by itself confirm that a specific feature is available to every plan or account in that location. Check the live agent-mode and country pages for the applicable plan and location before relying on access. Agent-mode plan information and OpenAI’s supported-country list are the relevant references.
What OpenAI said about safeguards and limitations
OpenAI’s original Operator announcement described several safeguards for the research preview. It said Operator could ask a user to take over for login credentials, payment details or CAPTCHAs; request approval before significant actions; decline certain sensitive or high-stakes tasks; and require close supervision on sensitive sites. OpenAI also described prompt-injection defenses and warned that Operator could make mistakes, especially when faced with complex interfaces. These are OpenAI’s descriptions of the product’s design, not independent findings about how reliably the safeguards work.
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- YOUR AI PERSONAL ASSISTANT FOR EVERYDAY PRODUCTIVITY: More than a voice recorder, Pocket works as your AI personal assistant to capture, transcribe, and summarize meetings, calls, and ideas instantly. Core features are included out of the box, with optional advanced tools available for power users.
- ONE-TAP RECORDING FOR REAL-LIFE MOMENTS: Capture meetings, phone calls, and in-person conversations instantly with a simple tap, no typing, no interruptions, just effortless note-taking anywhere you go.
- SMART AI INSIGHTS & ORGANIZATION: Pocket automatically turns recordings into clear summaries, key action items and structured conversation maps so you can quickly review what matters without digging through audio.
- TURN CONVERSATIONS INTO ACTION WITH “ASK POCKET”: Don’t just record, understand. Instantly ask questions across your meetings, extract key insights and generate next steps in seconds. All grounded in your recordings, so answers stay accurate and reliable.
- MAGSAFE COMPATIBLE FOR SEAMLESS USE: Easily attach Pocket to your iPhone or other MagSafe compatible devices for convenient, hands-free recording on the go. Perfect for capturing meetings, calls, and ideas without needing to hold your device.
For ChatGPT agent, OpenAI said it requests permission before actions with real-world consequences, uses active supervision for certain critical tasks, and is trained to refuse high-risk tasks such as bank transfers. These, too, are company-described safeguards rather than independent assurance. A user should review what an agent is about to do, especially before it submits information or takes an action with consequences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the rollout history means for readers
- Operator began as a U.S.-only ChatGPT Pro research preview on January 23, 2025.
- A February 2025 report described expansion to more markets while excluding the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland at that point.
- OpenAI announced ChatGPT agent in July 2025, integrating Operator’s website interaction with deep research and ChatGPT.
- The standalone Operator website is no longer accessible; current availability is described through ChatGPT agent mode, eligible plans and supported-country rules.
OpenAI’s January 2025 announcement included a potential civic-use perspective from Jamil Niazi, Director of Information Technology at the City of Stockton: “As we learn more about Operator during its research preview, we’ll be better equipped to identify ways that AI can make civic engagement even easier for our residents.” That is a statement of anticipated potential, not evidence of measured impact.
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- ENHANCED CONTEXT WITH MULTIMODAL INPUT: Capture audio, type notes, add images, and press to highlight key moments for richer context. During recording, instantly mark key moments with a single button press. Simultaneously enrich your audio by snapping photos of important documents or typing in ideas
- CHAT WITH YOUR RECORDINGS USING "ASK Plaud": Unlock deeper insights with this interactive AI. Ask questions, extract key points, draft emails, and get next-step suggestions—all grounded in your original audio for reliable, ready-to-use answers
- INTELLIGENT RECORDING WITH AI DIRECTIONAL AUDIO: Enjoy seamless, intelligent recording with Plaud Note Pro. Its AI automatically switches between call and meeting modes while recording, while directional audio and real-time spatial awareness minimize noise to capture voices with crystal clarity
- Everything Included: Includes Plaud Note Pro, magnetic case, magnetic ring, charging cable, and a free Starter Plan with 300 transcription minutes per month. Upgrade anytime in the Plaud app to Pro Plan (1,200 min/mo) or Unlimited Plan(Up to 24 hours of transcription per user per day)
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