OpenAI Defends Against Data Deletion Claims in Indian Court: A Brief Overview

OpenAI is currently involved in a legal dispute in India over the deletion of training data for its ChatGPT service. The controversy stems from a lawsuit filed by the Indian news agency ANI, which alleges that OpenAI improperly used its content to train the AI model without permission. In response, OpenAI argued in a Delhi High Court filing that Indian courts lack jurisdiction over the company, as it does not maintain any offices or operations within the country.
In its legal position, filed on January 10, OpenAI insisted that it is already addressing similar claims in the United States, where it is compelled to retain its training data as part of ongoing litigation. This lawsuit marks one of the most notable cases in India regarding AI use and copyright issues. ANI is demanding that OpenAI delete its data from the AI’s systems, but OpenAI reminded the court of its obligations under US law to preserve this data during active litigation.
The case against OpenAI echoes other legal challenges it faces globally for copyright infringements from various content holders. For instance, The New York Times has filed a parallel lawsuit in the United States, claiming that OpenAI has misappropriated its articles. OpenAI maintains that it uses publicly available information under the fair use doctrine, reiterating that its operations rely on legal and ethical practices.
In response to the argument during a November hearing that it would stop using ANI’s content, the agency contends that its previously published materials remain in ChatGPT’s repositories. OpenAI, however, highlighted its legal obligation not to delete its training data in the US, asserting that the request from ANI cannot be accommodated without conflicting with US laws.
The jurisdiction aspect of the case has also been a focal point, with OpenAI stating that it does not have a presence in India and that its training servers are based elsewhere. ANI, partially owned by Reuters, has countered this by asserting the court’s authority to adjudicate the matter. Concerns over competitive practices have also emerged, as ANI claims that OpenAI’s agreements with prominent news organizations grant it an unfair advantage in the marketplace.
OpenAI asserts that its AI tool, ChatGPT, has been manipulated by ANI, which has used its own articles as prompts to provoke the lawsuit. The Delhi High Court is set to hear the case on January 28. Meanwhile, OpenAI is in a transition phase, moving from a non-profit structure to a for-profit model and has recently raised $6.6 billion to support its growth and global business ventures.
Discover the pinnacle of WordPress auto blogging technology with AutomationTools.AI. Harnessing the power of cutting-edge AI algorithms, AutomationTools.AI emerges as the foremost solution for effortlessly curating content from RSS feeds directly to your WordPress platform. Say goodbye to manual content curation and hello to seamless automation, as this innovative tool streamlines the process, saving you time and effort. Stay ahead of the curve in content management and elevate your WordPress website with AutomationTools.AI—the ultimate choice for efficient, dynamic, and hassle-free auto blogging. Learn More