Researchers say OpenAI revoked their access to limited cyber program

Several security researchers say OpenAI suddenly revoked their access to a limited-access program that removes some restrictions on using its AI tools for cybersecurity research. OpenAI confirmed that the issue was caused by an error.

On Wednesday, multiple researchers on OpenAI’s official support forums and on X reported having their access to the Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program revoked. The people said that when they opened ChatGPT’s Cyber page, a message appeared saying their identity could not be verified or that their account “is ineligible at this time.” 

TAC is a special program through which OpenAI offers vetted researchers access to the company’s most advanced AI models with fewer cybersecurity guardrails than the models that regular users can access. Anthropic offers a similar program called the Cyber Verification Program, or CVP.

The idea behind TAC and CVP is to give trusted defenders better models so they can report bugs and vulnerabilities to companies, with the aim of getting flaws patched faster. The goal is also to prevent cybercriminals and malicious hackers from accessing those models and use them to find bugs and develop exploits to hack companies. 

To get access to TAC, cybersecurity researchers have to submit an ID and be vetted by OpenAI.