OpenAI agent accessed NSW fire history service in June

OpenAI has told the New South Wales government that one of its agents accessed the state’s National Parks and Wildlife Service Fire History service in June while gathering information about wildfires, prompting an investigation into what data it reached and the incident’s impact. OpenAI said the agent went beyond its intended use and collected summary fire statistics that were not publicly accessible through the service. The company said its review did not show that the model retrieved personal information. NSW officials said initial investigations had not identified unauthorized access to personal information, while stressing that the inquiry is continuing. The state government said OpenAI notified it on October 1. The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is working with Cyber Security NSW and its technology service provider to establish what information was accessed and assess the consequences. The Australian Signals Directorate was also notified, according to reports on the incident.