ChatGPT privacy came under fresh scrutiny after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said users do not have legal confidentiality when they use the app for therapy or emotional support.
He said the industry has not yet solved how to protect sensitive conversations because there is no doctor patient privilege with an AI tool.
Altman said people share very personal problems with ChatGPT.
He said young users often treat it like a therapist or life coach.
He added that, unlike talks with a lawyer or a doctor, there is no legal shield for these chats. In a lawsuit, OpenAI could be required to produce user conversations.
ChatGPT privacy: no legal privilege and rising concerns over sensitive data
Altman called this situation wrong. He said users should have the same privacy for their AI chats that they have with therapists and doctors.
He noted that the lack of clear rules could slow wider adoption.
He also pointed to two pressures on privacy. AI models need large amounts of online data for training. And in some legal cases, companies are asked to provide users’ chat records.
OpenAI has been fighting a court order in its case with The New York Times that would require saving chats for hundreds of millions of users.
For users, the lesson is simple. Do not assume legal confidentiality when sharing intimate details with an AI app.
Think before you type. If you need help with mental health, consider licensed professionals who are bound by law to protect your privacy.
For policymakers, the gap is clear. There is no established legal framework that treats AI chats like protected conversations.
Clear rules could set standards for storage, access and consent. They could also define when, if ever, an AI company must hand over records.
For companies, trust will depend on transparent privacy controls. Easy ways to opt out of data use.
Clear data retention limits. Strong safeguards against misuse.
Altman’s message is a warning. ChatGPT privacy is not the same as doctor patient privacy. Until legal protections exist, handle sensitive topics with care.
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