Fact · Voice privacy and security
2026-02-13date
On February 13, 2026, Judge Jed S. Rakoff of the Southern District of New York ruled that a non-attorney's communications with a generative AI platform were not protected by attorney-client privilege or work product.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“On February 13, 2026, Judge Jed S. Rakoff of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an opinion addressing whether non-attorney communications with a generative AI platform are protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine. Judge Rakoff ruled that they are not.”
Court Rules AI Conversations Are Not Privileged: What United States v. Heppner Means for You, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Orrick, 2026, Opening paragraphs.
Open the original- What it measures
- The ruling is United States v. Heppner, No. 25-cr-503 (JSR), in the Southern District of New York. It is the case the law firm analysis discusses.
- What it does not show
- The date comes from one law firm's analysis; other commentary gives February 17. The ruling is a district court decision, not binding on other courts.