Why did OpenAI delete the 'Books 1' and 'Books 2' datasets?

OpenAI claims the datasets fell out of use and were internally decided to be deleted, though the exact reasons are now under legal scrutiny.

What is the connection between OpenAI's deleted datasets and the author lawsuit?

Authors allege ChatGPT was illegally trained on these datasets, which were sourced from a shadow library, and OpenAI's deletion is a key point in the case.

What did the judge order OpenAI to reveal in the lawsuit?

The judge ordered OpenAI to share communications with in-house lawyers about deleting the datasets and any redacted references to Library Genesis.

Home / Technology / Judge Orders OpenAI to Reveal Data Deletion Secrets

Judge Orders OpenAI to Reveal Data Deletion Secrets

2 Dec, 2025

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Summary

OpenAI must disclose lawyer communications about deleted book datasets.
Datasets 'Books 1' and 'Books 2' were sourced from shadow library LibGen.
Judge cites OpenAI's shifting claims as reason for privileged information disclosure.

Judge Orders OpenAI to Reveal Data Deletion Secrets

A federal judge has ordered OpenAI to produce internal communications with its lawyers concerning the deletion of datasets "Books 1" and "Books 2." These datasets, allegedly compiled from the shadow library Library Genesis, are critical to an ongoing class-action lawsuit filed by authors who claim their copyrighted works were used without permission to train OpenAI's ChatGPT. The court's decision stems from OpenAI's apparent contradictions regarding the reasons for deleting these datasets.