In a recent development, it has come to light that the ChatGPT app for Mac, released less than two weeks ago by OpenAI, faced a serious security issue. The application was found to be storing users’ conversations with the AI chatbot in plain text, which posed a potential risk to user privacy and security.
The issue was discovered by a Threads user named @pvieito, who highlighted that the conversations were being stored in a non-encrypted location on users’ computers. While the conversations were stored locally, meaning that a bad actor would have needed physical access to the user’s device to exploit them, the vulnerability was still a cause for concern.
Upon being made aware of the issue, OpenAI acted swiftly and released an update to the ChatGPT for Mac application, encrypting the stored conversations to ensure user data is secure. Users are advised to download the latest version of the app from the OpenAI website to safeguard their conversations.
In response to the incident, an OpenAI spokesperson stated, We are aware of this issue and have shipped a new version of the application which encrypts these conversations. We’re committed to providing a helpful user experience while maintaining our high security standards as our technology evolves.
This security issue comes at a delicate time for OpenAI, as the organization recently announced a partnership with Apple, a company known for its stringent privacy policies. Apple’s emphasis on protecting user data is well-documented, and any lapses in security could potentially impact OpenAI’s credibility as a technology provider.
Moving forward, OpenAI will need to take proactive measures to address privacy and security concerns, ensuring that its products meet the highest standards of data protection. As technology continues to evolve, maintaining user trust and safeguarding sensitive information will be key priorities for companies like OpenAI.
