OpenAI reports Chinese groups using ChatGPT for covert influence campaigns
OpenAI reported that Chinese groups are increasingly using ChatGPT for covert operations including influence campaigns, cyber operations support, and fake content generation. The operations detected were small in scale and targeted limited audiences, but involved expanded tactics across social media and political discourse.
What happened
OpenAI reported in June 2025 that Chinese groups are using ChatGPT for covert operations. The scope and tactics of these groups have expanded, though operations detected were generally small in scale and targeted limited audiences.
OpenAI banned ChatGPT accounts that generated social media posts on political and geopolitical topics relevant to China, including criticism of a Taiwan-centric video game, false accusations against a Pakistani activist, and content about USAID closure. Posts also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.
China-linked threat actors used ChatGPT to support cyber operations, including open-source research, script modification, system troubleshooting, and development of tools for password brute forcing and social media automation. A China-origin influence operation generated polarized social media content supporting both sides of divisive U.S. political topics, including AI-generated profile images.
Reported impact
The operations reached limited audiences and were small in scale according to OpenAI's findings.
Governance controls
OpenAI regularly releases reports on malicious activity detected on its platform. The company detected and banned accounts engaged in these covert operations.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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