ChatGPT conversations may be subject to legal disclosure if ordered by a court, according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. He observed that increasing numbers of users are turning to the AI chatbot for therapy, personal guidance, or relationship advice. However, Altman stressed these exchanges lack the legal protections of medical confidentiality and could be compelled for legal proceedings.
"If you share highly sensitive information with ChatGPT and it becomes relevant to a legal case, we might have to disclose those conversations," Altman explained.
He proposed extending therapist-like confidentiality safeguards to AI interactions, urging prompt implementation of such privacy measures.
OpenAI's policy states that deleted user chats are permanently erased after 30 days, unless retention is necessary for legal or security purposes.