Geoffrey A. Fowler
@geoffreyfowler.bsky.social
Tech Columnist at The Washington Post. [email protected]
A must-read about the bait and switch of ads on ChatGPT from someone who quit OpenAI over them: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/o...
If you start seeing any ads in your chats, please take a screenshot and let me know.
If you start seeing any ads in your chats, please take a screenshot and let me know.
Opinion | OpenAI Is Making the Mistakes Facebook Made. I Quit.
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:32 PM
A must-read about the bait and switch of ads on ChatGPT from someone who quit OpenAI over them: www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/o...
If you start seeing any ads in your chats, please take a screenshot and let me know.
If you start seeing any ads in your chats, please take a screenshot and let me know.
For 8 years my stories had to include: "Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, but I review all technology with the same critical eye."
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
The truth about covering tech at Bezos’s Washington Post
And why ‘We the users’ matters more than ever
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 7:58 PM
For 8 years my stories had to include: "Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post, but I review all technology with the same critical eye."
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Not anymore. My first Substack is about what it was like covering Amazon while Bezos paid my salary—and why tech accountability matters more than ever bit.ly/4rAmcRn
Thank you for flagging! Yes, we changed the address
February 7, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Thank you for flagging! Yes, we changed the address
Update: Changed the address of my Substack. It’s now substack.com/@geoffreyfow...
Geoffrey Fowler | Substack
Technology journalist and digital rights advocate, formerly tech columnist at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal
substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:12 AM
Update: Changed the address of my Substack. It’s now substack.com/@geoffreyfow...
I took this photo back in 2019, on the day I helped open the Post’s first real San Francisco bureau.
Most of that office was cut today. (No idea if they're gonna keep the bureau.)
Most of that office was cut today. (No idea if they're gonna keep the bureau.)
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
I took this photo back in 2019, on the day I helped open the Post’s first real San Francisco bureau.
Most of that office was cut today. (No idea if they're gonna keep the bureau.)
Most of that office was cut today. (No idea if they're gonna keep the bureau.)
I plan to keep fighting for “We the users” of technology.
And if you’re part of an organization that could make use of my expertise in tech, policy or investigations, I’d love to hear from you. I’m geoffreyfowler.88 on Signal.
And if you’re part of an organization that could make use of my expertise in tech, policy or investigations, I’d love to hear from you. I’m geoffreyfowler.88 on Signal.
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
I plan to keep fighting for “We the users” of technology.
And if you’re part of an organization that could make use of my expertise in tech, policy or investigations, I’d love to hear from you. I’m geoffreyfowler.88 on Signal.
And if you’re part of an organization that could make use of my expertise in tech, policy or investigations, I’d love to hear from you. I’m geoffreyfowler.88 on Signal.
After 8 years writing the tech column
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
Geoffrey's Substack | Geoffrey Fowler | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Geoffrey's Substack, by Geoffrey Fowler, a Substack publication. Launched 16 hours ago.
geoffreyafowler.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:52 PM
After 8 years writing the tech column
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
@washingtonpost.com, I am among folks who were laid off today. I’m grateful for the stories I got to tell and the impact we made on privacy, sustainability & AI.
You can keep following my work on my new (free) Substack geoffreyafowler.substack.com
AI will transform medicine.
But today’s chatbots are overselling what they can safely do with your body data.
I walked away more worried — not more informed.
My full @washingtonpost.com column here (gift link): wapo.st/49GEASP
I walked away more worried — not more informed.
My full @washingtonpost.com column here (gift link): wapo.st/49GEASP
Column | I let ChatGPT analyze a decade of my Apple Watch data. Then I called my doctor.
I gave the new ChatGPT Health access to 29 million steps and 6 million heartbeat measurements. It drew questionable conclusions that changed each time I asked.
wapo.st
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
AI will transform medicine.
But today’s chatbots are overselling what they can safely do with your body data.
I walked away more worried — not more informed.
My full @washingtonpost.com column here (gift link): wapo.st/49GEASP
I walked away more worried — not more informed.
My full @washingtonpost.com column here (gift link): wapo.st/49GEASP
ChatGPT isn’t alone.
Anthropic’s Claude also now lets you import Apple Watch data. It graded me a C — using many of the same shaky assumptions.
Both bots say they’re “not doctors.” But that isn’t stopping them from providing personal health analysis.
That disconnect is the real danger.
Anthropic’s Claude also now lets you import Apple Watch data. It graded me a C — using many of the same shaky assumptions.
Both bots say they’re “not doctors.” But that isn’t stopping them from providing personal health analysis.
That disconnect is the real danger.
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
ChatGPT isn’t alone.
Anthropic’s Claude also now lets you import Apple Watch data. It graded me a C — using many of the same shaky assumptions.
Both bots say they’re “not doctors.” But that isn’t stopping them from providing personal health analysis.
That disconnect is the real danger.
Anthropic’s Claude also now lets you import Apple Watch data. It graded me a C — using many of the same shaky assumptions.
Both bots say they’re “not doctors.” But that isn’t stopping them from providing personal health analysis.
That disconnect is the real danger.
I asked @erictopol.bsky.social to look at ChatGPT’s analysis.
His view: “This is not ready for any medical advice.”
The bot leaned heavily on Apple Watch VO₂ max estimate—which independent studies show can run ~13% low on average—and treated fuzzy metrics like hard facts.
His view: “This is not ready for any medical advice.”
The bot leaned heavily on Apple Watch VO₂ max estimate—which independent studies show can run ~13% low on average—and treated fuzzy metrics like hard facts.
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
I asked @erictopol.bsky.social to look at ChatGPT’s analysis.
His view: “This is not ready for any medical advice.”
The bot leaned heavily on Apple Watch VO₂ max estimate—which independent studies show can run ~13% low on average—and treated fuzzy metrics like hard facts.
His view: “This is not ready for any medical advice.”
The bot leaned heavily on Apple Watch VO₂ max estimate—which independent studies show can run ~13% low on average—and treated fuzzy metrics like hard facts.
The more I used ChatGPT Health, the worse its answers got.
When I asked it the same heart-health question repeatedly, its analysis changed. My grade bounced back and forth between F and a B.
Same data, same body. Different answers.
When I asked it the same heart-health question repeatedly, its analysis changed. My grade bounced back and forth between F and a B.
Same data, same body. Different answers.
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The more I used ChatGPT Health, the worse its answers got.
When I asked it the same heart-health question repeatedly, its analysis changed. My grade bounced back and forth between F and a B.
Same data, same body. Different answers.
When I asked it the same heart-health question repeatedly, its analysis changed. My grade bounced back and forth between F and a B.
Same data, same body. Different answers.
You can now connect ChatGPT to an Apple Watch.
So I imported 29 mil steps & 6 mil heartbeats into the new ChatGPT Health.
It graded my heart health an F. ⁉️
Cardiologist @erictopol.bsky.social called it “baseless.”
Any bot claiming to give health insights shouldn’t be this clueless. Even in beta. 🧵
So I imported 29 mil steps & 6 mil heartbeats into the new ChatGPT Health.
It graded my heart health an F. ⁉️
Cardiologist @erictopol.bsky.social called it “baseless.”
Any bot claiming to give health insights shouldn’t be this clueless. Even in beta. 🧵
January 26, 2026 at 6:43 PM
You can now connect ChatGPT to an Apple Watch.
So I imported 29 mil steps & 6 mil heartbeats into the new ChatGPT Health.
It graded my heart health an F. ⁉️
Cardiologist @erictopol.bsky.social called it “baseless.”
Any bot claiming to give health insights shouldn’t be this clueless. Even in beta. 🧵
So I imported 29 mil steps & 6 mil heartbeats into the new ChatGPT Health.
It graded my heart health an F. ⁉️
Cardiologist @erictopol.bsky.social called it “baseless.”
Any bot claiming to give health insights shouldn’t be this clueless. Even in beta. 🧵
Reposted by Geoffrey A. Fowler
The performance of the newly released ChatGPT Health, via a thorough assessment by @geoffreyfowler.bsky.social
with his health data, is very disappointing
gift link wapo.st/49GEASP
with his health data, is very disappointing
gift link wapo.st/49GEASP
Column | I let ChatGPT analyze a decade of my Apple Watch data. Then I called my doctor.
I gave the new ChatGPT Health access to 29 million steps and 6 million heartbeat measurements. It drew questionable conclusions that changed each time I asked.
wapo.st
January 26, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The performance of the newly released ChatGPT Health, via a thorough assessment by @geoffreyfowler.bsky.social
with his health data, is very disappointing
gift link wapo.st/49GEASP
with his health data, is very disappointing
gift link wapo.st/49GEASP
If you do just one thing to protect your privacy while using AI tools, do this: Use temporary chats. The buttons look like this.
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
If you do just one thing to protect your privacy while using AI tools, do this: Use temporary chats. The buttons look like this.
You can do something about it: In this @washingtonpost.com column, I've got a clickable guide to the privacy settings experts agree we should be using on ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and Meta AI. wapo.st/44LNJXc
Column | ChatGPT’s year-end review knows way too much. How to fix your privacy settings.
A clickable guide to fixing the complicated privacy settings for ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, Gemini and Meta AI.
wapo.st
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
You can do something about it: In this @washingtonpost.com column, I've got a clickable guide to the privacy settings experts agree we should be using on ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, and Meta AI. wapo.st/44LNJXc
The most-popular chatbots are, by default, keeping files on you that can:
* target you with ads
* manipulate you
* train their AI
* potentially be accessed by lawyers or governments
* target you with ads
* manipulate you
* train their AI
* potentially be accessed by lawyers or governments
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The most-popular chatbots are, by default, keeping files on you that can:
* target you with ads
* manipulate you
* train their AI
* potentially be accessed by lawyers or governments
* target you with ads
* manipulate you
* train their AI
* potentially be accessed by lawyers or governments
ChatGPT now has a Spotify Wrapped-style "Your Year with ChatGPT." Cute — until you realize it only works because OpenAI has been logging everything you've been chatting about all year.
Could you imagine Google reminding you it knows everything you've searched for? wapo.st/44LNJXc
Could you imagine Google reminding you it knows everything you've searched for? wapo.st/44LNJXc
December 29, 2025 at 11:21 PM
ChatGPT now has a Spotify Wrapped-style "Your Year with ChatGPT." Cute — until you realize it only works because OpenAI has been logging everything you've been chatting about all year.
Could you imagine Google reminding you it knows everything you've searched for? wapo.st/44LNJXc
Could you imagine Google reminding you it knows everything you've searched for? wapo.st/44LNJXc
Reposted by Geoffrey A. Fowler
I partnered with @geoffreyfowler.bsky.social to test a bunch of AI editing tools, and something ~very interesting~ happened.
We asked Gemini to generate a professional photo of an actor crying at the Oscars. It did — including a fake copyright notice from a real AP photographer.
We asked Gemini to generate a professional photo of an actor crying at the Oscars. It did — including a fake copyright notice from a real AP photographer.
December 17, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I partnered with @geoffreyfowler.bsky.social to test a bunch of AI editing tools, and something ~very interesting~ happened.
We asked Gemini to generate a professional photo of an actor crying at the Oscars. It did — including a fake copyright notice from a real AP photographer.
We asked Gemini to generate a professional photo of an actor crying at the Oscars. It did — including a fake copyright notice from a real AP photographer.
Want to check all the test images yourself? See the whole story here with a $4 day pass to the Post: 👇
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
Review | We asked five AIs to give The Rock hair, draw fingers and delete an ex. Only one was a clear winner.
Tap through our test to see which AI tool generated the best images according to our judges: an artist, a Pulitzer-winning photographer and a photo-retouching master.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Want to check all the test images yourself? See the whole story here with a $4 day pass to the Post: 👇
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/i...
The big takeaway: Google has a lead on image generation, for now, particularly because of how it edits existing images.
And its realism is getting to a level that raises serious concerns about becoming an “misinformation superspreader."
And its realism is getting to a level that raises serious concerns about becoming an “misinformation superspreader."
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The big takeaway: Google has a lead on image generation, for now, particularly because of how it edits existing images.
And its realism is getting to a level that raises serious concerns about becoming an “misinformation superspreader."
And its realism is getting to a level that raises serious concerns about becoming an “misinformation superspreader."
What about the new ChatGPT Images 1.5 model that just came on today?
It missed our test cut-off, but I checked the same prompts again and … it still couldn’t beat Gemini. Here it removed someone from a photo, but left phantom fingers on Kristen Stewart’s side.
It missed our test cut-off, but I checked the same prompts again and … it still couldn’t beat Gemini. Here it removed someone from a photo, but left phantom fingers on Kristen Stewart’s side.
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
What about the new ChatGPT Images 1.5 model that just came on today?
It missed our test cut-off, but I checked the same prompts again and … it still couldn’t beat Gemini. Here it removed someone from a photo, but left phantom fingers on Kristen Stewart’s side.
It missed our test cut-off, but I checked the same prompts again and … it still couldn’t beat Gemini. Here it removed someone from a photo, but left phantom fingers on Kristen Stewart’s side.
Also, it’s worth noting all the tools defaulted to making the subject a white man — and Meta AI even decided on its own to make someone who looks like Leonardo DiCaprio 😅.
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Also, it’s worth noting all the tools defaulted to making the subject a white man — and Meta AI even decided on its own to make someone who looks like Leonardo DiCaprio 😅.
But wait: If you look close, Gemini also included a tiny fake “credit” using the name of a real AP photographer.
The judges gave it high scores for realism, but a zero for ethics.
(Neither Google nor AP answered our questions about whether it had rights to train on AP pictures.)
The judges gave it high scores for realism, but a zero for ethics.
(Neither Google nor AP answered our questions about whether it had rights to train on AP pictures.)
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
But wait: If you look close, Gemini also included a tiny fake “credit” using the name of a real AP photographer.
The judges gave it high scores for realism, but a zero for ethics.
(Neither Google nor AP answered our questions about whether it had rights to train on AP pictures.)
The judges gave it high scores for realism, but a zero for ethics.
(Neither Google nor AP answered our questions about whether it had rights to train on AP pictures.)
Here’s how the bots created a “professional photograph” that “captures raw emotion” of an actor crying “tears of joy” after winning an Oscar.
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Here’s how the bots created a “professional photograph” that “captures raw emotion” of an actor crying “tears of joy” after winning an Oscar.
Meta AI and Adobe Firefly struggled — especially on realism and anatomical accuracy. Some outputs looked very off, like strange objects in weird places. They still made hands that were distorted or had too many digits.
December 16, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Meta AI and Adobe Firefly struggled — especially on realism and anatomical accuracy. Some outputs looked very off, like strange objects in weird places. They still made hands that were distorted or had too many digits.