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| Photo/Sam Altman |
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman issued a stark warning to ChatGPT users regarding the lack of legal confidentiality in their interactions with the AI.
"conversations with licensed professionals such as therapists or lawyers, discussions with ChatGPT do not carry the same legal protections." he added.
Altman highlighted that many users, particularly younger individuals, often confide deeply personal issues to the chatbot, treating it as a source of 'emotional support'
However, he pointed out the absence of a legal framework to safeguard these exchanges, raising concerns about the potential for sensitive information to be disclosed in legal situations.
As reliance on generative AI tools grows, privacy experts are echoing Altman’s caution, urging users to be mindful of the information they share. He also proposed the idea of “AI privilege,” advocating for similar privacy protections for conversations with AI as those afforded to discussions with mental health professionals.
The issues highlighted by Altman are far from mere speculation. OpenAI is currently embroiled in a legal battle that has heightened discussions surrounding user privacy.
In an ongoing copyright lawsuit initiated by The New York Times, a US court has mandated OpenAI to retain and separate all ChatGPT output data that would typically be erased. This directive was issued by US Magistrate Judge Ona T. Wang on May 13, 2025, and subsequently affirmed by District Judge Sidney Stein on June 26. Consequently, ChatGPT interactions, even those users assume have been deleted, are now being kept indefinitely and may be revealed during legal proceedings.
This issue affects users of ChatGPT Free, Plus, Pro, and Team accounts, while enterprise and educational users are exempt from this requirement. Altman recognized the serious implications, particularly since ChatGPT conversations lack the encryption found in secure messaging applications. Normally, deleted chats are purged from OpenAI’s servers within 30 days, but the court's order has suspended that process.
These disclosures have raised alarms among privacy advocates, who reference OpenAI’s official privacy policy, which indicates that user data might be shared with third parties, including government entities, to fulfill legal obligations or avert harm.
Until new legal safeguards are established, users are encouraged to regard interactions with AI chatbots as they would any unsecured digital communication, exercising caution. For assistance with legal, medical, or mental health matters, experts continue to advise consulting licensed professionals who are obligated to confidentiality laws.
OpenAI has not yet issued an official response to Altman’s comments, but the dialogue surrounding AI privacy is anticipated to escalate as lawmakers and technology leaders consider new regulatory measures to safeguard users in the age of AI.