OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently shut down several accounts linked to Chinese government groups. These accounts were trying to build tools for monitoring social media and carrying out malware attacks. This move highlights a growing concern about how artificial intelligence (AI) is being misused.
The company stated that the deleted accounts were helping create malware. They used ChatGPT’s services to get advice on building these harmful programs. OpenAI closed these accounts because they broke its national security rules. Users specifically tried to make surveillance tools and launch malware attacks.
OpenAI Cracks Down on AI Misuse for Spying
A public report on threats from OpenAI explained that requests to ChatGPT aimed to create “social listening” systems. These systems would automate monitoring. Such requests go against the company’s rules, which forbid using AI for spying or social control.
The San Francisco-based company noted that its findings show growing worries about AI misuse. This comes as the United States and China compete to shape technology and its regulations.
OpenAI also found that some of the shut-down accounts used the Chinese language. They asked for help to automate phishing attacks and malware operations. These efforts used the DeepSeek system, a tool developed in China.
Malicious Networks Taken Down Worldwide
It’s not just China-linked groups. OpenAI also blocked accounts tied to Russian-speaking criminal groups. These groups used ChatGPT to build malicious software, according to Reuters. Since February of last year, OpenAI has released threat reports. So far, it has disabled more than 40 suspicious networks and reported them to authorities.
The company’s report mentioned that its AI models automatically turned down harmful requests. OpenAI also clarified that it found no signs of new attack methods. Nor did its tools give attackers never-before-seen ways to launch attacks.
Even with these security efforts, OpenAI continues to expand globally. Recent reports show that over 800 million people use ChatGPT every week.
🚨 OpenAI CLOSED accounts linked to China for misuse
The deleted accounts were trying to develop surveillance tools and malware attacks.
This reflects a growing concern about the misuse of AI in global competition.
Malicious networks were also dismantled… pic.twitter.com/7WL08ZUHCs
— Diario฿itcoin (@Blaze Trends)
OpenAI’s Rapid Rise
Last week, OpenAI became the world’s most valuable startup. A secondary sale of shares pushed its value to USD $500 billion. This is up from its earlier valuation of USD $300 billion. The deal allowed employees to sell some of their shares. A group of investors bought them. This group included Thrive Capital, SoftBank, Dragoneer Investment Group, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, and T. Rowe Price. This information came from a source cited by the American press.
This transaction involved more than USD $10 billion in shares on the secondary market. It followed SoftBank’s USD $40 billion investment in a primary funding round.
Recent reports show OpenAI made about USD $4.3 billion in revenue during the first half of 2025. This means its revenue grew about 16% compared to the entire previous year.
According to the public threat report shared by the company.