OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is urging users to think twice before sharing deeply personal or sensitive information with ChatGPT, warning that conversations with the AI tool are not legally protected—and could be used as evidence in legal proceedings. Speaking on Theo Von’s This Past Weekend podcast, Altman called the current legal framework “very screwed up” and highlighted that OpenAI may be compelled to hand over user chats in court cases.
“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. And I think that’s very screwed up,” Altman said, emphasizing the lack of legal privilege around AI interactions.
Unlike conversations with a lawyer, doctor, or therapist—which are protected by confidentiality laws—there is currently no equivalent protection for discussions with AI chatbots. Altman argued that this gap in legal privacy needs urgent attention. “We haven’t figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT. I think we should have the same concept of privacy for your conversations with AI that we do with a therapist or lawyer.”
Adding to privacy concerns, Altman noted that due to ongoing lawsuits—including a high-profile case brought by The New York Times—OpenAI is also required to retain records of all chats, even ones users believe they’ve deleted. This includes data that might later be subpoenaed in court.
Altman emphasized the need for clearer laws and user protections when it comes to AI, especially as people increasingly use tools like ChatGPT for support, advice, and even therapy-like conversations. “It’s fair for users to want legal clarity and privacy before using ChatGPT a lot,” he said.
Until such frameworks are in place, Altman’s message is clear: treat your AI chats with the same caution as you would any unprotected digital communication—and assume they may not stay private.
