Mixpanel | Data breach at OpenAI service provider (ChatGPT): Are your email and account data affected?

Security vulnerability at platform.openai.com: What API users urgently need to know now

Transparency and data security are crucial in the world of artificial intelligence. OpenAI is currently informing its users about a security incident that, while not affecting its own core infrastructure, does impact the data processing of an external partner. At the heart of the matter is unauthorized access to systems of the third-party provider Mixpanel, which has consequences for users of the OpenAI platform.

What is Mixpanel and how is it related to OpenAI?

Mixpanel is a widely used service provider for business analytics and user data analysis. Companies integrate Mixpanel into their websites or apps to understand how users interact with their products—for example, which buttons are clicked or which website a visitor comes from.
OpenAI specifically used this service for frontend analytics of its API platform (platform.openai.com). This means that, to improve the user interface for developers and enterprise customers, OpenAI transmitted certain usage data and metadata to Mixpanel for analysis.

A security vulnerability in Mixpanel's system environment allowed attackers to export a dataset containing information about OpenAI users. Although OpenAI emphasizes that critical elements such as passwords, API keys, and chat content remained secure, identifying information like email addresses and names was exposed. As a direct consequence, OpenAI has terminated its collaboration with Mixpanel with immediate effect.

The following analysis details exactly which data is affected, why the risk of social engineering attacks is now increasing, and how OpenAI has reacted to this incident.

Introduction and basic contextualization of the events

What type of incident is this, generally speaking?

The incident in question is a security breach, but it does not directly affect OpenAI's core systems; rather, it involves an external service provider. Specifically, it concerns a data breach at Mixpanel, a data analytics provider. OpenAI used this provider to perform web analytics on the frontend interface of its API product, accessible at platform.openai.com. The breach occurred within Mixpanel's system environment and resulted in an unauthorized third party gaining access to certain datasets.

Why is this incident being reported at all?

The communication surrounding this incident stems from a desire for transparency. Transparency is explicitly emphasized as a high priority. For this reason, it was decided to inform users about the incident, even though the attack did not target OpenAI's systems directly. The goal is to proactively notify those affected about the potential exposure of their data, even if the risk is considered limited.

How should the relationship between OpenAI and Mixpanel be understood in this context?

In this scenario, Mixpanel acted as a third-party vendor. Mixpanel's role was to provide analytical services for the OpenAI API user interface. This means that OpenAI transmitted certain data to Mixpanel or had Mixpanel collect certain data to better understand or optimize the use of the website platform.openai.com. Therefore, a business relationship existed in which data processing was outsourced to an external partner.

Detailed analysis of the attack sequence and timeframe

When exactly did the incident occur and when was it noticed?

The pivotal day for the discovery of the attack was November 9, 2025. On that date, Mixpanel became aware that an attacker had gained unauthorized access to parts of its systems. This marks the beginning of Mixpanel's internal investigation and the starting point of the chain of events that led to this notification.

How and when was OpenAI notified of the incident?

After Mixpanel detected the attack on November 9, 2025, OpenAI was informed that an investigation had been launched. However, some time passed before concrete details about the extent of the data breach were provided. It wasn't until November 25, 2025, that Mixpanel shared the specific dataset affected with OpenAI. Thus, approximately 16 days elapsed between the discovery of the attack and the concrete identification of the affected OpenAI data.

What exactly did the attacker do during this incident?

The attacker not only gained access to the systems but also exfiltrated data. The text describes how a data set was exported. This export contained limited customer identification information as well as analytical data. Therefore, this was not merely a system intrusion but an active theft of data that was removed from the Mixpanel environment.

Delineation of the affected systems

Have OpenAI's systems been compromised?

This is one of the most important questions regarding risk assessment. The answer is a clear no. It is explicitly stated that this was not a breach of OpenAI's systems. The integrity of OpenAI's own infrastructure remained unaffected. The incident was confined exclusively to the environment of the service provider Mixpanel. There is no evidence that the attacker gained access to OpenAI's internal networks or servers beyond Mixpanel.

Which critical data are definitely not affected?

To assess the severity of the incident, it's important to consider what is secure. It has been confirmed that no chat histories were affected. API requests, meaning the content of what users sent to the interface, are also secure. Likewise, no API usage data has been compromised. Crucially for account security, no passwords or login credentials were exposed. The API keys, essential for the technical operation of the services, also remained unaffected. Financial information, such as payment details, was not stolen. Finally, government identification documents that may have been used for verification purposes are not part of the leaked dataset.

Specific investigation of the affected data categories

What kind of information might be contained in the exported dataset?

The affected dataset contains profile information from users associated with the use of platform.openai.com. This is a mixture of personal identifiers and technical metadata typically generated during web analytics.

Is the user's name affected?

Yes, the name stored in the API account was part of the data that may have been exported. This refers to the name as it was provided to us, OpenAI, for the account. This is a direct identifier that allows the affected account to be linked to a real or legal person.

Has the email address been compromised?

Yes, the email address associated with the API account is also among the affected data. The combination of name and email address already constitutes a significant data set, as it allows for direct contact and identification of the user.

Which location-related information is affected?

Data on the approximate location of the user was exported. This location data is based on the API user's browser. The accuracy of this data is described as approximate and typically includes the city, state or region, and country. This is not precise GPS coordinates or an exact residential address, but rather a derivation of the location from technical connection data during platform usage.

What technical system data was disclosed?

The data set contained information about the operating system and browser used to access the API account. This information, often referred to as user-agent data, reveals whether a user is using, for example, Windows, macOS, or Linux, and whether they are using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari. This data is standard for analytics services to optimize website performance.

What are referred websites in this context?

The affected data also includes information about so-called referring websites. These are the websites from which the user accessed the OpenAI platform. Therefore, if a user clicked on a link on another page to get to platform.openai.com, this originating address could be stored in Mixpanel's data and thus be part of the exported dataset.

Were internal identification numbers stolen?

Yes, organization IDs or user IDs associated with the API account were also included. These IDs are internal identifiers that OpenAI uses to manage accounts and organizations within its systems. While they often don't reveal sensitive information on their own, they are important metadata that reflects the structure of the user base.

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Measures and reactions from OpenAI

What was the immediate technical response to the incident?

As part of the security investigation, OpenAI has taken drastic measures. Mixpanel has been removed from production services. This means that the connection to this service provider has been severed and no further data is being sent to Mixpanel. This was done to immediately contain the risk and ensure that no further data could leak while the investigation is ongoing.

How was the affected data handled?

OpenAI has thoroughly reviewed the affected datasets shared by Mixpanel on November 25th. It was necessary to analyze precisely what information they contained in order to accurately assess the extent of the incident. This analysis formed the basis for communication with customers.

Is there any cooperation to clarify the situation?

Yes, we are working closely with Mixpanel and other partners. The goal of this collaboration is to fully understand the incident. It's about not only knowing what happened, but also grasping its full scope. This collaboration is essential to ensure that all gaps are closed and the root cause analysis can be completed.

Are those affected informed individually?

OpenAI is in the process of directly notifying all affected organizations, administrators, and users. The company is not relying solely on a general announcement, but is specifically targeting those whose data was actually included in the exported dataset. This underscores its commitment to transparency.

What is the long-term decision regarding Mixpanel?

Following its investigation into the incident, OpenAI has taken a clear business step: it has discontinued using Mixpanel. This is a final measure demonstrating that the trust relationship has been irreparably damaged by this security incident, or that Mixpanel's security standards no longer meet OpenAI's requirements.

What impact does this have on the broader partner ecosystem?

The incident has repercussions that extend beyond Mixpanel. OpenAI is now conducting additional and expanded security audits across its entire vendor ecosystem. This means that other third-party providers OpenAI collaborates with will also be subject to stricter controls. Furthermore, security requirements for all partners and vendors are being raised. In short, there is a general tightening of security guidelines for external service providers to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Risk analysis and potential dangers for users

What specific risks do users face from the disclosed data?

The main risk resulting from this data leak lies in the area of ​​phishing and social engineering. The potentially compromised information is ideally suited for preparing and executing such attacks.

Why are these specific data points dangerous for phishing?

Because names, email addresses, and specific OpenAI metadata such as user IDs or organization IDs were included, attackers can compose highly credible messages. An attacker could send an email containing the user's correct name and referring to their specific use of the OpenAI API. By including accurate details, such a fake message appears significantly more legitimate than a typical spam email. Knowledge of how the OpenAI API is used allows criminals to impersonate OpenAI and exploit users' trust.

What does social engineering mean in this context?

Social engineering means that an attacker attempts to manipulate a user into revealing confidential information or performing specific actions through psychological manipulation. Knowing the user's location, browser, operating system, and organizational affiliation, an attacker can construct a scenario that sounds perfectly plausible to the victim. For example, they might receive a call or message claiming to be from technical support, offering to resolve a problem with the user's specific browser or operating system.

Is there evidence of abuse outside of Mixpanel?

So far, no evidence has been found that systems or data outside of Mixpanel's environment are affected. Nevertheless, OpenAI continues to closely monitor the situation to detect any signs of misuse early on. This is a precautionary measure, as the absence of evidence does not guarantee absolute security, and vigilance remains necessary.

Recommendations for action and safety precautions

What should users pay particular attention to in the near future?

Users are encouraged to remain vigilant against seemingly credible phishing attempts or spam. Since the combination of leaked data enables deceptive tactics that appear authentic, a healthy skepticism towards incoming messages is essential.

How should you deal with unexpected emails?

Unexpected emails or messages should be treated with caution. This is especially true if these messages contain links or attachments. Clicking on links in unsolicited emails is one of the most common entry points for malware or the theft of login credentials. The content should be critically examined, even if it appears legitimate at first glance.

How can you verify the authenticity of a message from OpenAI?

It's important to double-check that a message claiming to be from OpenAI was actually sent from an official OpenAI domain. Attackers often use domains that look very similar to the original but have minor typos or different endings. Therefore, carefully checking the sender is a simple yet effective way to protect yourself.

What will OpenAI never ask you about via email?

OpenAI has clear rules for communication. The company never requests passwords, API keys, or verification codes via email, text message, or chat. If a message asks you to disclose such sensitive information, it is almost certainly a phishing attempt. Knowing this principle is a crucial safeguard against social engineering.

What technical measures are recommended to increase security?

To further secure your account, it is recommended to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second factor, such as a code from a mobile device, in addition to your password when logging in. Even if an attacker were to obtain your password through phishing, MFA would prevent access to your account.

Protecting trust: OpenAI's path to maximum data security

What values ​​are central to OpenAI?

Trust, security, and privacy are described as fundamental to OpenAI's products, organization, and mission. These values ​​form the basis of its relationship with users. The handling of this incident is intended to demonstrate that these values ​​remain guiding principles even in crisis situations.

How is responsibility towards partners defined?

OpenAI requires its partners and vendors to meet the highest standards for the security and privacy of their services. Accountability is demanded. If a partner fails to meet these high standards or if serious incidents occur, consequences will follow, as demonstrated by the termination of the partnership with Mixpanel. It is not enough to be secure oneself; the supply chain must also meet these standards.

How is the obligation to transparency implemented?

The commitment to transparency is demonstrated through open communication about the incident, even if the company's own systems were not affected. Notifying all affected customers and users ensures that no one is left in the dark about the potential risk. The goal is to maintain or restore trust through honesty.

What is the final message to the users?

The security and privacy of the products are described as being of paramount importance. The company remains committed to protecting user information and communicating transparently should any problems arise. The text concludes with thanks for the continued trust of its users, underscoring that the relationship with customers is viewed as a partnership based on mutual trust.

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