OpenAI has confirmed that certain ChatGPT conversations may be reviewed by human moderators and, in serious cases, referred to law enforcement. The company explained the policy in a recent blog post detailing how the system manages safety risks.
According to OpenAI, the distinction depends on the nature of the conversation. If a user expresses suicidal thoughts, ChatGPT provides empathetic responses and directs them to professional helplines, such as 988 in the United States or Samaritans in the United Kingdom. These cases are not reported to police in order to safeguard user privacy.
However, when a user expresses intent to harm others, the process is different. Such conversations are routed through a specialised review pipeline where trained moderators examine the content. If they conclude there is an imminent threat, OpenAI may alert authorities. Accounts involved in these incidents may also be banned.
OpenAI admitted that its safety systems perform more reliably in shorter conversations. During longer or repeated chats, protections can weaken, leading to inconsistent enforcement. OpenAI said it is working to improve these safeguards so they remain effective across all interactions.
Beyond handling threats of harm, the company is also exploring new ways to step in earlier when risky behaviours arise. This includes addressing issues such as extreme sleep deprivation or unsafe activities by grounding users in reality and pointing them toward professional assistance. Plans are also underway to introduce parental controls for teenage users and to develop features that could connect people to trusted contacts or licensed therapists before crises escalate.
The blog post makes it clear that while most conversations with ChatGPT remain private, those that involve potential threats to others can trigger human review and even police involvement. Users are advised to be aware of this when using the platform.
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