A hacker said they purloined personal details from countless OpenAI accounts-but researchers are hesitant, and the business is examining.


OpenAI states it's examining after a hacker claimed to have swiped login qualifications for 20 million of the AI company's user accounts-and put them up for sale on a dark web online forum.


The pseudonymous breacher published a cryptic message in Russian advertising "more than 20 million gain access to codes to OpenAI accounts," calling it "a goldmine" and providing potential purchasers what they claimed was sample data containing email addresses and passwords. As reported by Gbhackers, the full dataset was being sold "for simply a couple of dollars."


"I have over 20 million gain access to codes for OpenAI accounts," emirking composed Thursday, according to a translated screenshot. "If you're interested, reach out-this is a goldmine, and Jesus agrees."


If genuine, photorum.eclat-mauve.fr this would be the third significant security event for the AI company since the release of ChatGPT to the general public. Last year, a hacker got access to the company's internal Slack messaging system. According to The New York City Times, the hacker "stole details about the style of the company's A.I. innovations."


Before that, in 2023 an even simpler bug including jailbreaking prompts enabled hackers to obtain the personal data of OpenAI's paying consumers.


This time, however, security researchers aren't even sure a hack took place. Daily Dot reporter Mikael Thalan wrote on X that he found invalid email addresses in the supposed sample data: "No evidence (recommends) this alleged OpenAI breach is genuine. At least two addresses were invalid. The user's just other post on the forum is for a stealer log. Thread has actually given that been erased too."


No evidence this supposed OpenAI breach is legitimate.


Contacted every email address from the supposed sample of login qualifications.


A minimum of 2 addresses were invalid. The user's only other post on the online forum is for a thief log. Thread has because been deleted as well. https://t.co/yKpmxKQhsP


- Mikael Thalen (@MikaelThalen) February 6, 2025


OpenAI takes it 'seriously'


In a declaration shared with Decrypt, an OpenAI spokesperson acknowledged the scenario while maintaining that the business's systems appeared safe.


"We take these claims seriously," the representative said, including: "We have actually not seen any proof that this is linked to a compromise of OpenAI systems to date."


The scope of the alleged breach sparked concerns due to OpenAI's enormous user base. Countless users worldwide rely on the company's tools like ChatGPT for service operations, instructional functions, and material generation. A genuine breach could expose private discussions, commercial tasks, and other sensitive data.


Until there's a last report, some preventive measures are constantly a good idea:


- Go to the "Configurations" tab, log out from all linked gadgets, and enable two-factor authentication or 2FA. This makes it virtually difficult for a hacker to gain access to the account, even if the login and passwords are compromised.
- If your bank supports it, then create a virtual card number to handle OpenAI memberships. By doing this, it is easier to find and prevent fraud.
- Always keep an eye on the discussions stored in the chatbot's memory, and be conscious of any phishing attempts. OpenAI does not request for any individual details, and any payment update is always handled through the main OpenAI.com link.