The AI chief urges caution as conversations with ChatGPT could become discoverable legal evidence
In a candid moment during a recent appearance on the This Past Weekend podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned users not to treat ChatGPT like a private confidant. While millions rely on the AI tool for everything from emotional advice to contract reviews, Altman clarified that conversations with the platform are not protected by any form of legal confidentiality.
Unlike interactions with a therapist, attorney, or physician—which are shielded by privilege—anything typed into ChatGPT could, under the law, be subject to subpoenas or discovery requests.
“It’s very screwed up”: Altman calls for legal safeguards in the AI age
Altman didn’t mince words when discussing the legal gray area surrounding user interactions with AI. “It’s very screwed up,” he said, referring to the lack of confidentiality protections. He called on lawmakers to implement new privacy standards that align with the rapidly evolving technology.
His comments follow growing concerns that people—including teens—are inputting deeply personal, and at times legally sensitive, information into ChatGPT. These include admissions of illegal behavior, medical symptoms, and private contractual disputes.
Currently, no legal mechanism exists to prevent such data from being accessed through legal orders. This means anything a user writes could end up displayed in a courtroom, potentially against them.
Legal experts: “Treat it like a public bulletin board”
Legal professionals echo Altman’s concerns, warning that users who share confidential data with AI tools may be compromising their own privacy. Unlike confidential conversations with doctors or lawyers, chats with AI do not carry an expectation of secrecy.
“Think twice before pasting your NDA, medical records, or confessions into ChatGPT,” warned one privacy attorney. “Legally, it’s equivalent to tacking them on a community bulletin board.”
Moreover, while ChatGPT can offer helpful suggestions, it does not guarantee accuracy, especially in complex legal, financial, or health matters. Users are advised to treat AI tools as supplemental—not substitutive—sources of guidance.
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