OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has voiced strong concerns about the legal vulnerability of ChatGPT users’ private chats. In a podcast interview, Altman said AI platforms don’t currently benefit from any form of legal privilege, unlike doctors or attorneys.

According to Altman, many users — especially teens and young adults — are using ChatGPT as a virtual therapist or advisor. But without proper legal frameworks, those chats could be subpoenaed or introduced in legal proceedings.

OpenAI is now appealing a court order linked to its lawsuit with The New York Times. The order would force the company to preserve massive volumes of chat logs unless users are on the Enterprise plan.

Altman warned that failing to establish legal clarity around AI privacy could damage public trust and slow broader adoption of the technology.