OpenAI glitch locks out vetted cyber researchers – and some can't get back in
Affected users say support cannot restore their previous approval or override the new decision
OpenAI experienced a technical glitch that temporarily removed some vetted cyber security researchers from its Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program. These researchers were suddenly denied access to Daybreak Blue, a tier offering enhanced capabilities for vetted cyber defenders. The issue occurred when participants reported that their previously approved status vanished without warning, and the verification page invited them to "Start verification" as if they had never been cleared.
Some users reported that their Daybreak Blue access had disappeared from Codex Desktop and the command-line interface. OpenAI acknowledged the problem and informed affected users that they would need to reverify their access. However, for some, the reverification process was unsuccessful, and they were told that their accounts were ineligible for Daybreak Blue.
The TAC program provides advanced cyber capabilities to security professionals, requiring identification and verification before granting access. This incident highlights the vulnerability in OpenAI's verification system, as it inadvertently removed previously approved researchers and made it challenging for them to regain access.
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