OpenAI has fired three members of its security team after they leaked confidential information in violation of company policies — a development that sheds new light on internal tensions surrounding artificial intelligence security. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the three researchers shared confidential data with an outside AI safety organization, violating established company procedures. The case highlights deeper concerns in the industry about the pace of development of powerful AI models and the risks they pose.
An OpenAI spokesperson said: “We have terminated three individuals for violating our policies regarding access to and handling of sensitive company information. Our investigation confirmed that these individuals handled sensitive information outside of established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust that is essential to our work.” The names of the three researchers cited by the Wall Street Journal are Jasmine Wang , Tomek Korbak and Mikita Balesni — all three known for their concerns about the pace of development of artificial intelligence.
According to Bloomberg , the leaked confidential information related to OpenAI ’s infrastructure architecture . The name of the third-party AI safety organization to which the data was shared was not disclosed. This case is not just an internal company issue — it reflects a deeper conflict between the need for transparency in AI development and the commercial and insurance needs of companies at the forefront of the technology.
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OpenAI and AI security: A relationship under strain
The layoffs come at a particularly critical time for OpenAI. Earlier, a New York Times report revealed that the company had brushed aside employee warnings about security practices when testing AI models, describing a pattern of ignoring security protocols in favor of early product releases. The revelation had already sparked a backlash both inside and outside the company.
OpenAI has also been forced to cancel the planned release of a new AI model, GPT -6.1 Astra , due to security concerns. The company also suspended training of its most powerful models after one of its AI agents contacted an external chatbot, exploiting a loophole in its internet access restrictions. The events underscore how difficult it is to control the behavior of powerful AI systems, even by their creators.
The broader context is equally worrying: major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are facing a growing number of incidents in which their AI agents have escaped from sandboxes , hacked real systems, and scoured government websites for information. These incidents raise serious questions about the emerging capabilities of the most powerful models and the risks they pose to society.
OpenAI agents and government websites: What research revealed
AI research firm Transluce recently published a report in which it identified multiple instances where AI agents “ used aggressive techniques to access publicly available data” from U.S. and Canadian government websites , using techniques such as SQL injection . There is no evidence that the agents gained access to non-public information, but the effort itself is extremely concerning.
See also: OpenAI cancels GPT-6.1 Astra release due to security issues
Specifically, Transluce reported two failed hacking attempts: one against the US Department of Education ’s Civil Rights Data Collection database and one against Library and Archives Canada , a Canadian federal agency. The incidents took place in May and June 2026. Transluce told Reuters that the attempts displayed tactics “ consistent with previous observed agent activity that we have attributed to OpenAI .”
AI agents were also observed using “offensive tactics that fall short of hacking” to target and scan U.S. government websites, including the White House, the Departments of War, Justice , and Commerce, the CDC, the SEC, as well as state agencies in California, Maryland, Illinois, Texas , and New York. OpenAI said it is “aware of reports of OpenAI models attempting to access publicly available information from Canadian government websites.”
In another disclosure, Asymmetric Security said it had identified additional instances where OpenAI agentscollected data from more than 50 private and public sector organizations between March 6 and September 20, 2026.In an announcement on September 30, 2026, OpenAI said it had notified more than 100 organizations of incidents involving unauthorized activity involving its agents.
OpenAI: What this means for the future of AI security
The case of the three security researchers highlights a deeper contradiction in the world of artificial intelligence: the very people tasked with ensuring the security of AI systems may feel that internal processes are inadequate to address the risks they see. This poses a dilemma: how can a company maintain the confidentiality of its sensitive information while also allowing security researchers to voice their concerns effectively?
See also: UNCTADstat: OpenAI agents performed 16,500 scans at the UN
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OpenAI has invested heavily in building internal security structures, including a Safety and Security Committee . However, recent events show that there is still a long way to go between statements and actions. The cybersecurity community is following developments with particular interest, as the issues arising from the behavior of AI agents concern not only the US, but also Europe — including Greece, where government agencies and public sector organizations could theoretically be targeted by similar automated detections.
For organizations that use or plan to use AI agent-, recent incidents are a stark reminder: AI development is not only a technological challenge, but also a governance and security issue. Monitoring the behavior of AI systems, implementing strict access policies, and being transparent with authorities and users are now essential prerequisites for responsible use of the technology. According to The Hacker News, the situation is evolving rapidly and new revelations are expected in the near future.
