OpenAI Faces Pressure to Store All ChatGPT Conversations
A recent court order threatens ChatGPT privacy by forcing OpenAI to keep every user chat. That includes messages deleted by users and data from businesses using OpenAI’s API. The case stems from a lawsuit brought by major publishers, including The New York Times, who claim OpenAI may be erasing evidence of copyright violations.
Judge Responds to Fears of Missing Evidence
Publishers argued that users could be using ChatGPT to bypass paywalls and then delete the chats to hide it. The judge agreed, ordering OpenAI to preserve all logs going forward. But OpenAI says there’s no proof this is happening and believes the decision came too fast, based on speculation rather than facts.
ChatGPT Users Lose Control Over Their Own Data
Until now, OpenAI let users manage their own data. People could delete chats, disable history, or remove their accounts. Businesses using the API followed their own retention rules. This ruling changes that. Now OpenAI must store everything—even data users tried to erase. The company says that breaks its promise to protect ChatGPT privacy.
Personal and Business Use Now Carry Higher Risk
Millions use ChatGPT for personal reasons—writing resumes, managing finances, or planning events. Businesses often use the API to handle sensitive data, like client info or internal notes. These users relied on the ability to delete chats. That protection is now gone.
New Compliance Demands Carry Big Costs
OpenAI says the order will require months of engineering work. It also warns that saving everything could violate contracts and global privacy laws. The company maintains it hasn’t deleted anything to avoid the lawsuit. Still, the court believes keeping everything is necessary.
Users Warn Others to Stay Cautious
After the ruling, tech workers and privacy advocates sounded the alarm online. Some called the court order a major breach of trust. Others advised switching to Mistral AI or Google Gemini. Business consultants told clients to avoid sharing anything sensitive with ChatGPT for now.
OpenAI Asks the Court to Reverse Course
OpenAI has requested the court to cancel or pause the ruling. It wants the news organizations to first prove they need this level of access. The judge has not yet changed her mind. She noted OpenAI could anonymize user chats but hasn’t done so.
The fight isn’t over. For more on your rights and settings, visit the OpenAI Privacy Policy or read our guide on deleting ChatGPT data.
