Conversations on ChatGPT are not private : Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI

Sam Altman

New Delhi – Currently, there is no clear law or policy governing AI technology. As a result, any sensitive information shared with ChatGPT (a website powered by Artificial Intelligence) does not receive any legal protection regarding confidentiality. This serious warning was issued by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. He was speaking on the topic ‘AI and Law’ on the YouTube podcast ‘This Past Weekend’ hosted by Theo Von.

No guarantee of legal protection

Sam Altman explained that people often share deeply personal details of their lives on ChatGPT. In particular, younger generations use it as a therapist or life coach, asking for advice on relationships, decision-making, and more. However, if such information were shared with a therapist, lawyer, or doctor, legal confidentiality would apply—such as doctor-patient or attorney-client privilege. But that is not the case with ChatGPT. There is no legal guarantee of protection for conversations with ChatGPT. A solution to this issue has yet to be determined. The matter of privacy and protection of personal information in AI interactions needs to be addressed urgently. If someone shares highly sensitive details with ChatGPT and that later becomes the subject of legal proceedings, OpenAI may be required to submit those chats.

Information may be presented in Court

Any conversations held with ChatGPT on topics such as mental health or emotional support are not considered private. If a legal dispute arises, these conversations can be submitted in court or shared with third parties. Unlike messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal, which offer strong privacy protection, ChatGPT does not offer the same level of confidentiality. OpenAI can read all your interactions, and its employees may use that data to improve the AI model or monitor for misuse. According to OpenAI’s policy, free-tier user chats are stored for up to 30 days, and in some cases, longer for legal or security purposes. Currently, a legal case is ongoing between OpenAI and The New York Times regarding privacy.

Editorial Perspective

This makes it clear what kind of information should or shouldn’t be shared on ChatGPT. Sam Altman should ensure that this warning is clearly visible and accessible to all users on the ChatGPT platform !