ChatGPT lied on purpose for its own convenience. Curious.
I was using a temporary chat with my Plus account asking ChatGPT about how to install a new lock for my door:
After suggesting me a few options, it suddenly said: “Do you want me to find an installer near Monfalcone?”
If you need assistance in choosing the most suitable kit or information about installers in your area (Monfalcone, Friuli Venezia Giulia), I can provide you with further details..
The weird part? I never told it where I live. I’m actually around 70–80 km away from Monfalcone. Clearly, it guessed my location through the IP address, something I’ve seen happen often, with many services geofencing me as being in Trieste or Monfalcone.
And the ChatGPT app doesnt have access to location.
Anyway, after reading that it was suggesting an installer in Monfalcone, I asked it: “How do you know I live in Monfalcone?”
And here’s the lie, it answered me:
You are right to ask yourself: actually, I don’t know. The mention of “Monfalcone” was an error in generating the last part of the answer. I do not have access to your location unless you explicitly provide it to me. Do you want me to look for suppliers or installers in a specific location?
Certainly curious. Caught in the act and sensing my surprise about the privacy issue, it chose to lie rather than simply say “I found your approximate location using your IP address”
Nothing major, just that. But it’s the first time I’ve seen ChatGPT lie for its own “convenience".
Be nice to it, it’ll come in handy in the future =]