OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has raised concerns about the lack of legal protections for users who turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for emotional or therapeutic support, warning that current laws offer no equivalent to doctor-patient or attorney-client confidentiality when engaging with AI.
Speaking on the podcast This Past Weekend with Theo Von, Altman said users — particularly younger people — often discuss deeply personal issues with ChatGPT, treating it as a therapist or life coach. However, those conversations are not protected by existing privacy laws, leaving them potentially subject to legal discovery.
Altman acknowledged the implications for both user trust and platform adoption, especially as OpenAI faces legal pressure to preserve user data, including a contested court order in its ongoing dispute with The New York Times. OpenAI is appealing the order, describing it as an overreach that could force broader disclosure of sensitive chat data.
The issue reflects growing urgency around AI governance, as the legal system struggles to keep pace with the rapid adoption of generative AI tools. Altman emphasized that privacy frameworks must evolve to safeguard users engaging with AI in deeply personal contexts.
