The ChatGPT Mac client recently released by OpenAI has a potential security issue that is of concern: the conversations stored on the computer are easily accessible and can be read in plain text.This means that if a malicious actor or malicious application gains access to your device, they can easily read your conversations with ChatGPT and the data contained within them.
The issue was demonstrated by user Pedro José Pereira Vieito on Threads, where it was shown that easy access means other applications can access these files and immediately display the conversation text after the conversation takes place. Pereira Vieito shared his application with the TheVerge author, who then created a video showing how the application reads ChatGPT conversations by clicking a button. In the demonstration, the third-party app can also find files on the computer and view the conversation text by changing the filenames.
Currently, the company has released an update claiming that it encrypts chat logs. OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson stated in a statement, "We are aware of this issue and have released a new version of the application that can encrypt these conversations. As technology develops, we are committed to providing a useful user experience while maintaining our high security standards."
Key Points:
- The ChatGPT Mac application by OpenAI has a security issue, storing conversations in plain text on the computer.
- Malicious actors or malicious applications can easily read ChatGPT conversations and the data within them.
- OpenAI has released an update that encrypts chat logs to improve security.
