OpenAI says a technical error caused some cybersecurity researchers to lose access to Daybreak Blue, a vetted program that gives approved users fewer restrictions when using advanced AI models for defensive security work. Several affected researchers reported on Wednesday that ChatGPT’s Cyber page suddenly showed their identities as unverifiable or their accounts as ineligible.
OpenAI said the issue affected a limited number of users and asked those researchers to reapply and complete verification again. The company described the revocations as an error on its side rather than a change in eligibility policy.
Researchers Were Asked to Reverify Their Accounts
TechCrunch spoke with five researchers who said their Daybreak Blue access had been removed. One shared an email from OpenAI saying the loss of access was caused by a technical issue affecting a limited number of users.
OpenAI support gave a similar explanation in its community forum, where researchers reported losing access to the program. In both cases, users were told to submit their information again and complete the verification process.
All five researchers interviewed by TechCrunch were based outside the U.S. and Europe. OpenAI has not said whether the issue was limited to particular countries or how many researchers were affected.
The company also referred TechCrunch to a public post saying that a limited set of users no longer had active Daybreak Blue access and would need to reverify.
Daybreak Blue Gives Researchers Fewer Cybersecurity Restrictions
Daybreak Blue is part of OpenAI’s Trusted Access for Cyber program, which gives vetted security researchers access to advanced models with safeguards adjusted for authorized defensive work. Researchers must submit identification and pass OpenAI’s review process before gaining access.
OpenAI launched Daybreak Blue on August 10 as the main tier for individual defenders. It includes access to frontier general-purpose models, including GPT-5.6 Sol, for tasks such as vulnerability discovery, secure code review, malware analysis, incident response, and patch validation.
OpenAI also introduced Daybreak Red, a higher tier intended for authorized vulnerability research, exploit validation, and security testing using models designed specifically for cybersecurity work.
Anthropic operates a similar system called the Cyber Verification Program. Both companies have faced complaints from security researchers in recent months who say standard AI guardrails can block legitimate offensive and defensive research tasks.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
For more stories like it, click the +Follow button at the top of this page to follow us.