ChatGPT Blocks Certain Names, Raising Concerns Over AI Content Filters

OpenAI's chatbot halts responses when specific names are mentioned, prompting questions about its filtering system and potential implications.

ChatGPT terminates conversations when users mention names like 'Jonathan Zittrain,' 'Jonathan Turley,' and previously 'David Mayer,' due to hard-coded filters.
OpenAI implemented these filters following defamation complaints, including a lawsuit by Australian whistleblower Brian Hood over false claims generated by the AI.
The name-blocking mechanism raises issues for users with common names, such as teachers or developers, who may face disruptions in practical tasks.
Concerns have surfaced about potential misuse of these filters, such as adversarial attacks embedding blocked names to disrupt ChatGPT’s functionality.
OpenAI has not commented on the filters, leaving questions about their criteria and broader implications for AI transparency and usability.