OpenAI Shuts Down China-Linked Accounts Over Spying Concerns

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has banned hundreds of accounts connected to Chinese intelligence operations in a major effort to protect its AI platform.

The move, outlined in a transparency report released Tuesday, comes as worries grow about foreign governments using AI tools for spying and spreading influence.

The report reveals that OpenAI suspended over 200 accounts involved in coordinated attempts to collect sensitive information.

These accounts, often posing as researchers or journalists, asked about topics like U.S. military technology, global politics, and even OpenAI’s own security measures.

"We detected and disrupted these campaigns before they could cause harm," said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a blog post. "Our commitment to responsible AI means drawing a hard line against misuse by authoritarian regimes."

Key Highlights:

OpenAI Suspends China-Linked Accounts Amid Spying and Security Concerns
ChatGPT Crackdown: OpenAI Blocks Hundreds of Accounts Tied to Chinese Intelligence
OpenAI Takes Action Against Foreign Interference to Protect AI Platform

The accounts were traced to IP addresses in mainland China and Hong Kong, with some using VPNs to hide their tracks. A few were linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), reportedly using ChatGPT to practice cyberattacks on Western systems. OpenAI’s safety team, working with cybersecurity experts like CrowdStrike, used advanced tools to spot and block these suspicious activities.

This isn’t the first time OpenAI has dealt with foreign interference. Earlier this year, it stopped similar efforts from Russia and Iran. But the focus on China highlights growing tensions in the U.S.-China tech rivalry. "These incidents expose how generative AI is becoming a new frontier for state surveillance," said Dr. Emily Chen, an expert at the Center for a New American Security. "OpenAI's response is commendable, but it signals the need for international norms to prevent an AI arms race."

Chinese state media called the bans “unfair” and accused the U.S. of targeting China to slow its tech growth. Meanwhile, U.S. politicians, like Sen. Marco Rubio, supported OpenAI’s decision and pushed for tougher restrictions on sharing AI tech with rival nations. OpenAI clarified that regular users in China, where its services are already limited, won’t be affected.

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With ChatGPT now boasting 200 million weekly users worldwide, this incident shows how high the stakes are for AI’s role in global politics. For Asia’s growing AI startup scene, it could mean stricter rules for international partnerships. OpenAI plans to release regular updates on these threats, promising to stay proactive in keeping AI safe and trustworthy.