ChatGPT Blocked at Microsoft: Security Concerns

Microsoft briefly blocked employees from using ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, over security concerns. The company has since restored access, but the move highlights the growing security concerns surrounding AI-powered tools.

Microsoft Bans Employees From Using ChatGPT

Microsoft Lifts Ban on ChatGPT

Microsoft has temporarily banned employees from using ChatGPT for "security and data reasons," according to CNBC. The company announced the rule on its internal website and even blocked corporate devices from accessing the AI chatbot.

ChatGPT Blocked at Microsoft: Security Concerns

While many tech companies have banned – or at least discouraged – internal use of ChatGPT in the past, Microsoft's move was certainly noteworthy as it is one of OpenAI's biggest and most prominent investors.

 Microsoft Invests Heavily in ChatGPT

 Microsoft Cites Security and Data Concerns

In January, Microsoft pledged to invest $10 billion in ChatGPT over the next few years, after investing $3 billion in the company in previous years. The AI-based tools it has released for its products, such as the Bing chatbot, also use the OpenAI big language framework.

 However, Microsoft said in its note that “while it is true that [the company] has invested in OpenAI and that ChatGPT has built-in security to prevent abuse, the platform is still an external third-party service. He advised his employees to "be cautious," adding that he was moving to other external services, including the AI graphics engine Midjourney.

 

Microsoft's ChatGPT ban was unexpected, but it was also swift. CNBC reports that after publishing its story, Microsoft quickly restored access to the chatbot. It appears to have removed text from its statement saying it was blocking the chat app and design software Canva. 

Microsoft Spokesperson: Ban was a Mistake

A company spokesperson told the media that the ban was a mistake, although the consultants clearly mentioned ChatGPT and Microsoft reinstalled it as soon as it realized its error.

"We tested the LLM endpoint control system and accidentally enabled it for all employees," the spokesperson said.," the spokesperson said. They added: "As previously mentioned, we encourage employees and customers to use services such as Bing Chat Enterprise and ChatGPT Enterprise, which offer a high level of privacy and security."

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