The ChatGPT bug exposed more private data than previously thought, OpenAI confirms

An uneasy reminder that nothing on the internet is completely private.
By Cecily Mauran  on 
GPT-4 logo on a smartphone in dark lighting
This is your PSA to always protect your privacy. Credit: Getty Images

A ChatGPT bug found earlier this week also revealed user's payment information, says OpenAI.

The AI chatbot was shut down on March 20, due to a bug that exposed titles and the first message of new conversations from active users' chat history to other users.

Now, OpenAI has shared that even more private data from a small number of users was exposed.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

"In the hours before we took ChatGPT offline on Monday, it was possible for some users to see another active user’s first and last name, email address, payment address, the last four digits (only) of a credit card number, and credit card expiration date," said OpenAI. "Full credit card numbers were not exposed at any time."

The hours OpenAI is referring to was a nine hour window before the bug was discovered. OpenAI reports that the payment-related information of 1.2 percent of ChatGPT Plus subscribers were exposed. Those users have been notified by OpenAI. Although, the announcement stipulated, the likelihood that other users actually saw this information is low. Between the hours of 1 a.m. PT and 10 a.m. PT, users would have had to open a ChatGPT Plus subscription confirmation email or navigated to the "Manage my subscription" page to view payment information.

The bug has been patched and ChatGPT is up and running again with its user's chat history restored. But it's good to keep in mind that whatever you share with ChatGPT – or any place on the internet — is never 100 percent private.

Mashable Image
Cecily Mauran

Cecily is a tech reporter at Mashable who covers AI, Apple, and emerging tech trends. Before getting her master's degree at Columbia Journalism School, she spent several years working with startups and social impact businesses for Unreasonable Group and B Lab. Before that, she co-founded a startup consulting business for emerging entrepreneurial hubs in South America, Europe, and Asia. You can find her on Twitter at @cecily_mauran.


Recommended For You

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which AI chatbot won our 5-round match?
ChatGPT vs. Gemini


Fake Met Gala lewks, the Apple iPad Event, and no more New Twitters please!
U Need to Know This Episode 63


Trending on Mashable

'Wordle' today: Here's the answer hints for May 20
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 20
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'


NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for May 19
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!