AI chatbot conversations used as legal evidence in court

Conversations with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude are increasingly being used as evidence in legal proceedings, as they lack the privacy protections afforded to communications with lawyers, doctors, or therapists. A report indicates that chatbot logs have been cited in at least 12 public court cases over the last two years.

These logs can expose a user's private intentions, thoughts, and sensitive disclosures. In some instances, chat histories have been obtained through subpoenas, the discovery process, or by reviewing defendants' mobile devices. Examples include a case involving a teenager's litigation against major tech platforms and a situation where a user in Brazil sought information regarding a violent crime.

Data requests to AI companies are rising; OpenAI reportedly disclosed content related to more than 80 accounts in the second half of 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Because the conversational nature of AI allows users to reveal complex thought patterns and intentions, these records are becoming a notable source of evidence for law enforcement and civil litigants.