What ChatGPT Can’t Do | The Right to Be Forgotten

With the rise AI has seen in the last few years as both a tool and an industry, the amount of possibilities it has presented to users has grown exponentially. From the ability to review writing and check grammar to generating visuals and even assisting in app building, all signs point to Artificial Intelligence continuing to break through barriers society thought impossible just a few years ago. But, despite all of this, some AI enthusiasts are wracking their brains trying to uncover why one straightforward task is proving impossible for one of the world’s most used AI models, ChatGPT.

It was recently discovered that asking the famed chatbot about one name in particular, David Mayer, resulted in an error message. Once this was discovered, ChatGPT users started to experiment, trying to find a way to trick the AI into saying the name, but any attempt resulted in the system crashing for the user.

The uncovering of this phenomenon intrigued users, leading to internet sleuths all over attempting to find any information on who this person was and what ChatGPT could possibly have against him. The most notable person with this name is David Mayer de Rothschild, an environmentalist and film producer who also happens to be the heir to the Rothschild fortune.

Since this was discovered, ChatGPT has fixed this problem, however the mystery only grows. After this error was revealed, one Reddit user discovered multiple names that all gave the same error message anytime inserted into ChatGPT, with many of the people involved having some connection to the AI service:

• Jonathan Zittrain, a Harvard Law professor who focuses on AI and internet censorship, recently published an article vocalizing his belief in the need to control AI technology (specifically including ChatGPT).
• Brian Hood is an Australian mayor who was the first person to ever threaten a defamation lawsuit against ChatGPT for falsely claiming that he served prison time for bribery.
• Jonathan Turley, a criminal defense attorney and law professor, was also falsely accused of assault by ChatGPT after being outspoken on the dangers AI poses to free speech.

However, one name on this list comes as no surprise at all. Guido Scorza, an Italian attorney, has been very open about his adventure in filing what is known as a “Right to be Forgotten Request”. He has even taken to X to offer resources to those who want to do the same thing, making his stance on the matter quite apparent. But this begs the question, what is the Right to be Forgotten?

The Right to be Forgotten

When the EU adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018, it set a standard for privacy, creating guidelines for companies that collect and distribute data. This comprehensive regulation puts the power in the people’s hands to ensure safe and disciplined data collection while giving those who collect it many steps to follow to maintain a feeling of security between them and the people. One of the rights the GDPR allows is the Right to be Forgotten.

This part of the regulation, which appears in Article 17 of the original documents, outlines a set of parameters allowed to the citizens of the EU that make it possible for them to have their data erased “without undue delay” when:

• the data is no longer needed for its original purpose
• the individual has withdrawn their consent for data collection practices
• the data was processed unlawfully
• the entity collecting the information must erase it to comply with a legal ruling
• the data belongs to a child and was collected in relation to the offer of information society services

In instances such as these, any person can request the erasure of their data under the GDPR. The only exceptions are if such data is needed to comply with information requests or official legal proceedings. Aside from these caveats, anyone under the GDPR can be “forgotten,” regardless of whether the companies collecting the data want them to or not.

Should We Be Worried?

This unraveling of ChatGPT has seemingly revealed that numerous people are taking advantage of their right to be forgotten. The examples listed above are only those that have been identified so far, but there is no telling how many ChatGPT-breaking names have gone undiscovered or how many people will follow suit now that the word is picking up that it’s possible to have your name erased from the service.

While this may be great news to people who want to have their information private from AI services like ChatGPT, it brings to light another question: how far can this censorship go? Many are worried that this possibility rolls out the red carpet for all kinds of entities to request censorship from the service, whether it be people, companies, or entire industries who want to wipe wrongdoings or previous mistakes off of the platform to not draw any attention to them.

However, while privacy is important in this day and age, so is staying informed. Situations like this raise concerns not so much about our inability to learn about these specific individuals, but rather about the risk of censorship concerning what is rapidly turning into one of the most popular and intelligent services available on the internet.

Take Action

It’s clear that privacy rights, like the Right to Be Forgotten, need to expand beyond just a handful of countries. Everyone deserves the ability to control their data, especially in today’s world, where information is bought and sold at lightning speed.

But this situation also raises some big questions. While these rights protect individual privacy, they could also open the door for misuse—allowing powerful people or organizations to erase information that should stay public. The challenge lies in finding a balance: giving individuals control over their data without losing access to information that keeps society informed and accountable.

As AI keeps advancing, we all have a role to play. Stay informed about your rights, speak up for transparency, and push for better regulations. Governments and companies alike need to ensure these laws are fair and can’t be twisted for the wrong reasons.

AI has the power to transform how we live, work, and communicate, but it shouldn’t be a tool for rewriting history or hiding the truth. Now’s the time to ask hard questions and make sure we’re heading toward a future where privacy and transparency can coexist—without one undermining the other.