Days after making its debut on the macOS, the ChatGPT app has seen a rather concerning security issue. As per a report from The Verge, the ChatGPT app was storing chats with the chatbot in plain text on the user’s computer.
Pedro Vieto, a developer took to Threads to post a video showing all the chats with ChatGPT were being stored in plain text. “I was curious about why [OpenAI] opted out of using the app sandbox protections and ended up checking where they stored the app data,” he told The Verge.
Anything that is stored in plain text on the computer can be accessed with ease by a hacker or even a malicious app. All the conversations users might have had with ChatGPT were easily readable.
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What Is OpenAI Doing About These Issues?
According to the report, the outlet contacted OpenAI about the issue. The company has rolled out an update that has now made the chat encrypted, meaning no one will be able to read them.
“We are aware of this issue and have shipped a new version of the application which encrypts these conversations,” OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson says in a statement to The Verge. “We’re committed to providing a helpful user experience while maintaining our high-security standards as our technology evolves.”
OpenAI will still be able to read users’ chats as they categorically said “we may use your content to train our models.” Users will have a choice to opt-out and not allow ChatGPT to train its AI model on their content. Users will get an option to turn off training for their ChatGPT conversations.
Apple does have a security called sandboxing, which enables apps to run in isolation. It doesn’t allow apps to access other parts of the system unless permissions have been given by users. However, the ChatGPT app is available through OpenAI’s website, which means it won’t have to follow sandboxing. Only apps that are available via the Mac App Store will be required to follow the company’s sandboxing requirements.
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OpenAI Delays The Launch Of ChatGPT’s Voice Mode
OpenAI seems to have pushed back the launch of its Voice Mode feature for ChatGPT, showcasing the necessity to address technical challenges and ensure a high-quality user experience.
Previously, the feature was supposed to be released in June, but the release has now been shifted to July. The company emphasizes its commitment to safety and user experience as the main reasons for the delay.
The Voice Mode feature, aimed at offering a lifelike voice interaction experience, was originally planned for an initial release to a limited number of ChatGPT Plus users. However, OpenAI has opted to delay its launch to further refine the feature and make sure it meets its standards before making it available to more users.