OpenAI’s ChatGPT Mac app was storing conversations in plain text
Security flaw in OpenAI's ChatGPT Mac app exposed conversations in plain text, now encrypted after updates.
Until Friday, OpenAI's recently launched ChatGPT macOS app had a security issue where chats were stored in plain text, making them easily accessible. Pedro José Pereira Vieito demonstrated the flaw by creating an app that could read conversations with a simple click.
OpenAI responded quickly after being contacted by The Verge, releasing an update that encrypts stored conversations. OpenAI spokesperson Taya Christianson stated the company’s commitment to high security standards and a helpful user experience.
Post-update, Pereira Vieito's app no longer works, and conversations are no longer viewable in plain text. Curiosity about OpenAI's sandbox protections led Pereira Vieito to discover the issue since the app bypassed Apple’s sandbox requirements by being distributed directly from OpenAI's website.