Altman Warns: ChatGPT Conversations Can Be Used in Court

OpenAI CEO says it’s “very screwed up” that user chats including deleted ones aren’t legally protected like doctor or therapist talks.
Altman Warns: ChatGPT Conversations Can Be Used in Court
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has warned users to be cautious about sharing personal or sensitive information with ChatGPT, saying such chats could legally be used against them in court.
Speaking on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, Altman addressed growing concerns about privacy in AI tools like ChatGPT, especially as people increasingly use them for emotional support, advice, or even therapy.

Altman explained that OpenAI is legally required to retain chat records, including deleted conversations, and that those could be handed over during lawsuits.

“If you go talk to ChatGPT about your most sensitive stuff and then there's a lawsuit or whatever, we could be required to produce that,” Altman said. “And I think that's very screwed up.”

This disclosure is especially concerning as more people are turning to AI tools for help with mental health, legal problems, and personal struggles. But unlike doctors, lawyers, or therapists, AI tools aren’t protected by laws like patient or client confidentiality. That means your chats don’t have the same privacy protections you would expect in a real-life conversation with a professional.

Altman said the current lack of legal protection is a major gap in AI policy and called for a new privacy framework.

“If you talk to a therapist or a lawyer or a doctor, there’s legal privilege,” he said. “We haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT. I think we should have the same kind of privacy for AI conversations.”

His comments also come during a time when OpenAI is under legal pressure. As part of a lawsuit by The New York Times, OpenAI is reportedly required to keep all user conversations, including deleted ones. Another lawsuit filed by Ziff Davis—PCMag’s parent company also alleges copyright issues with how OpenAI trains its systems.

Amid all this, Altman admitted it’s fair for users to pause before using ChatGPT for anything sensitive. “It’s fair to want legal clarity before using ChatGPT a lot,” he said.

Conclusion:
Sam Altman's warning highlights a big gap in how AI chats are treated under the law. Until clear privacy rules are in place, it’s best to avoid discussing highly personal or private matters with ChatGPT or any AI chatbot. Conversations that feel confidential may not be legally protected and could come back to haunt you in court.

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