A class action filed in California federal court accuses OpenAI of disclosing private ChatGPT user data to Meta and Google. The complaint says the company used embedded tracking technology without consumer consent.
The lawsuit covers United States residents who entered queries on ChatGPT.com. It argues that OpenAI funneled personal questions and account details to two firms whose advertising networks reach billions of people each day.
What The Complaint Alleges
The filing centers on tracking technology that Meta and Google supply to website operators for analytics and ad targeting. According to the complaint, OpenAI embedded that code into its ChatGPT site and allowed it to transmit user information automatically.
The plaintiffs say the disclosed data included query topics, account identifiers, and email addresses tied to individual users. The case argues that consumers had reasonable privacy expectations when using the chatbot. Many people share sensitive financial, medical, and legal questions there.
The complaint cites a Cyberhaven report estimating that around one percent of data employees paste into ChatGPT is confidential. The figure refers to leaked corporate material. The complaint extends that concern to individuals who use the assistant for advice on health, money, and legal matters.
The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and an injunction stopping the practice. The suit names OpenAI as the sole defendant. It still identifies Meta and Google as the recipients of the data.
A Growing Wave Of AI Privacy Cases
The new case follows a 2023 class action against OpenAI focused on personal data used for model training. Regulators in several jurisdictions continue to scrutinize the chatbot. Recent reviews include action by a Japanese privacy watchdog and a GDPR complaint filed by NOYB in Europe.
A separate suit filed earlier this year accused Perplexity AI of similar conduct involving Meta and Google trackers. Pixel-based monitoring on consumer AI services has become a new front for privacy litigation. Google has also faced its own lawsuit over the alleged misuse of personal data to train artificial intelligence systems.
Together, the cases point to growing legal pressure on AI providers. Regulators want clearer rules for how user inputs are collected and routed.
Stakes For OpenAI
For OpenAI, the timing is awkward. The company is preparing for an expected initial public offering. It has reportedly fallen short of its revenue and user targets for the year.
A drawn-out class action over privacy could complicate that path. It may also invite scrutiny in markets with stricter data protection laws than those in the United States.
Whether the court accepts the plaintiffs’ theory may hinge on how judges interpret consumer expectations around AI services. The level of disclosure OpenAI provided at signup will likely matter as well. Hearings have not yet been scheduled, and OpenAI has not publicly responded to the filing.
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Source: https://beincrypto.com/openai-chatgpt-data-sharing-lawsuit/
