Sam Altman Urges AI Privacy Overhaul Amid ChatGPT Risks

- OpenAI CEO warns of legal gaps in AI user privacy. - Altman cautions against risks of sensitive chats with ChatGPT. According to a July 28, 2025, interview on the "This Past Weekend" podcast, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman warned that ChatGPT users lack legal privacy protections. He explained that this vulnerability leaves them exposed in lawsuits, as conversations with the AI do not have the same confidentiality as those with lawyers, doctors, or therapists, creating significant privacy concerns. On the podcast, Altman highlighted the risks users face when sharing sensitive information with ChatGPT. He explained that a court could compel OpenAI to disclose chat records in a legal dispute, a scenario he described as a "huge issue." Furthermore, he noted that many younger users increasingly treat ChatGPT as a trusted advisor on private matters, despite the absence of legal safeguards. Beyond individual privacy, Altman also warned about the potential for governmental overreach in an AI-driven world. While acknowledging the need to balance public safety with privacy, he called for urgent legal reforms to protect AI users from expanded surveillance. In addition, Altman revealed he is in ongoing discussions with policymakers who share his concerns about the issue's gravity. These remarks arrive as OpenAI faces a legal conflict with The New York Times, which involves a court order requiring the company to retain user data. Citing this lack of legal clarity, Altman admitted that he personally avoids inputting sensitive information into certain AI systems as a precaution.