OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has shared a startling reality which has created a buzz: conversations with ChatGPT, even deeply personal ones, are not protected and could be used as legal evidence in court.
“Young people especially talk to ChatGPT about everything from relationship problems to emotional struggles,” Altman said in an interview with podcaster Theo Von.
“They use it like a therapist or life coach. But unlike a therapist or lawyer, ChatGPT doesn’t come with confidentiality protections.”
Altman compared these interactions to confiding in a doctor or lawyer professions bound by strict privacy laws. But when it comes to AI, that legal safety net simply does not exist.
“When you tell ChatGPT your most sensitive information and that data is requested in a legal case, we’re obligated to hand it over,” Altman admitted.
In response, Altman is advocating for “AI privilege”, a legal framework granting confidential status to certain AI conversations, especially those involving mental health or sensitive personal matters.
“It’s messed up. I think we should have AI privacy protections, but we haven’t figured that out yet.”
As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, it is becoming a go-to for emotional support. According to USA TODAY, Gen Z users in particular are turning to tools like ChatGPT for instant, non-judgmental advice.
It is available 24/7, costs little or nothing, and seems to understand them better than anyone because they have told it everything.
This comes as revelations that the propostion of Kenyan internet users aged over 16 using the platform stands at 42.1 per cent, beating all other countries, as reported by Datareportal, a global internet research company.
So, before you treat your AI chat as a virtual diary or therapist, remember: those words can come back to haunt you—in a courtroom.