Privacy crisis grows: ChatGPT chats could be stored forever

A new demand has emerged in the copyright lawsuit filed by The New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft in December 2023. One of the issues under discussion is the indefinite storage of ChatGPT user chats. 

Previously, when users deleted chats, they were permanently removed from OpenAI systems within 30 days. However, in the lawsuit filed with the NYT, it was requested that deleted chats also be kept permanently for evidentiary purposes. 

This development is considered a serious threat to privacy standards within OpenAI. CEO Sam Altman reacted to this demand on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Conversations with AI should be as private as talking to a doctor or a lawyer." The company's COO, Brad Lightcap, also stated that this decision would "weaken privacy norms."

Currently, this decision covers ChatGPT Free, Plus, Pro, and Team users. However, Enterprise, Education, or accounts with Zero Data Retention agreements are exempt from this requirement.

OpenAI announced that it has appealed the court decision and stated that deleted chats will now be stored in a special way that cannot be viewed by users

News Source: 12punto