OpenAI Sparks Privacy Debate: Human Reviewers Can Escalate Chats to Law Enforcement

OpenAI made a significant announcement on its blog this week. The company admitted that user chats on ChatGPT are monitored, and if a conversation involves violence or a plan to harm someone, those chats are sent to the Special Review Team. According to the company, if this team believes the threat is serious and immediate, the information may be shared with law enforcement agencies.

This disclosure raises many questions because, until now, people believed that conversations with AI were private and safe. Critics argue that if humans interpret the intent and tone of a conversation, ChatGPT's claim to be fully autonomous is challenged.

Another major concern is how OpenAI identifies users' locations so emergency services can be notified. Experts warn this could also be misused. For example, in cases of "swatting," someone might impersonate an innocent person and send false violent messages, leading police to raid that person's home.

This move contradicts recent statements by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who said that using ChatGPT is as private as talking to a lawyer, doctor, or therapist. But if humans can read conversations and send them to the police, that comparison doesn’t hold.

Technology critics see this as proof that AI companies are deploying increasingly powerful systems without fully understanding the consequences. In this context, users often become unwitting "test subjects," while companies try to patch the loopholes later.

The lesson for everyday users is clear: ChatGPT can feel like a private conversation, but it isn’t completely private. Your chats can be reviewed and, in serious cases, handed over to the police.