OpenAI has issued a formal apology following a data breach at Mixpanel, a third-party analytics company previously used for tracking activity on platform.openai.com.
The incident did not involve OpenAI’s own infrastructure. Instead, it occurred within Mixpanel’s systems, which were used to collect web analytics related to OpenAI’s developer platform. This platform is used by software developers to integrate OpenAI models into their own applications.
OpenAI emphasized that the breach has no connection to ChatGPT usage and does not involve everyday users of OpenAI products.
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Who was affected and who was not
According to OpenAI, the breach impacted only a subset of developers who use the OpenAI API. Regular ChatGPT users were not affected in any way.
OpenAI stated clearly that no chat histories, prompts, responses, or personal conversations were exposed. The company also confirmed that its internal systems were not breached during the incident.
This clarification was necessary after early headlines suggested a possible “ChatGPT data breach,” which caused confusion and concern among users.
What data was exposed
OpenAI explained that the leaked information consisted of limited analytics and profile-related data associated with some API users.
The exposed data includes:
- Name provided on the API account
- Email address linked to the API account
- Approximate location based on browser data, such as city, state, and country
- Operating system and browser information
- Referring websites
- Organization or user IDs connected to the API account
No passwords, API keys, payment information, government identification, or authentication credentials were exposed.
OpenAI reiterated that access to developer accounts was not compromised.
Ongoing investigation and monitoring
OpenAI said it has found no evidence that the breach extended beyond Mixpanel’s environment. However, the company is continuing to monitor the situation for any signs of misuse or further exposure.
Affected developers are being contacted directly with details about what information was involved. OpenAI has stated that, due to the limited scope of the data exposed, developers are not required to reset their passwords.
OpenAI cuts ties with Mixpanel
In response to the incident, OpenAI has terminated its relationship with Mixpanel.
The company also announced it is conducting expanded security reviews across its vendor ecosystem and raising security requirements for all third-party partners. This move signals a broader reassessment of how external services are vetted and monitored.
While OpenAI was not directly breached, the company acknowledged responsibility for selecting and overseeing its partners.
Security guidance for users and developers
Although OpenAI is not recommending password resets, it has used the incident as a reminder to encourage stronger account security practices.
The company advises all users and developers to enable multi-factor authentication on their accounts where available. Adding an extra verification step reduces the risk of account takeover if login details are ever exposed through unrelated incidents.
OpenAI said it will share further updates if new information emerges, but at this stage, it believes the breach has been contained.
