Introduction
A recent OpenAI Mixpanel incident has raised data security concerns for users of the API platform. OpenAI announced that Mixpanel, a third-party vendor used for web analytics on the frontend interface (platform.openai.com), experienced unauthorized access. It is crucial to clarify immediately that OpenAI's internal systems were not breached and ChatGPT users are not involved. However, some contact information and metadata of API users may have been exposed.
Context of the Incident
The event occurred within Mixpanel's infrastructure. On November 9, 2025, Mixpanel detected an intrusion that allowed an attacker to export a dataset containing limited information. OpenAI was notified of the ongoing investigation and, on November 25, 2025, received details about the affected dataset. This event highlights the importance of supply chain security, where a vendor's vulnerability can impact the main service's customers.
Affected Data and User Impact
Although there was no compromise of passwords, API keys, or chat content, the OpenAI Mixpanel incident exposed some identifiable information. The data potentially at risk relates exclusively to API platform users and includes:
- Names and email addresses associated with the API account.
- Approximate location based on the browser (city, state, country).
- Operating system and browser used.
- Referring websites.
- Organization IDs or User IDs internal to the platform.
It is important to reiterate that no payment data, government IDs, or access credentials were touched.
OpenAI's Response
In response to the event, OpenAI acted promptly by removing Mixpanel from its production services. The company has terminated its use of the vendor and is conducting expanded security reviews across its entire vendor ecosystem. Impacted users and organizations are being notified directly. OpenAI confirmed it has found no evidence of data misuse outside the Mixpanel environment but continues to monitor the situation.
Phishing Risks and Security Advice
The availability of names, emails, and user IDs increases the risk of targeted social engineering attacks. Malicious actors could use this data to create highly credible phishing emails, posing as technical support or administrators.
Recommended Measures:
- Verify sources: Always check that communications come from official OpenAI domains.
- Watch out for links: Do not click on suspicious links in unexpected emails requesting urgent action.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If you haven't already, enable MFA on your account to add an extra layer of protection.
For further details, you can consult the official announcement: Read the original OpenAI statement.
FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the incident, based on official information.
Why did OpenAI use Mixpanel?
Mixpanel was used as a third-party tool to analyze product usage and improve services for the API interface (platform.openai.com).
Was this caused by a vulnerability in OpenAI?
No, the incident is limited to Mixpanel's systems and did not involve unauthorized access to OpenAI's infrastructure.
How do I know if I was affected by the OpenAI Mixpanel incident?
OpenAI is notifying impacted users and organization administrators directly via email.
Were my prompts or API data compromised?
No. Chat content, prompts, generated responses, and API usage data were not involved.
Are ChatGPT accounts at risk?
No. Users of ChatGPT and other consumer products were not impacted by this event.
Do I need to change my password or API keys?
Since passwords and API keys were not exposed, a reset is not required. However, remaining vigilant is always recommended.
Is Mixpanel still used by OpenAI?
No, OpenAI has terminated the use of Mixpanel in its products following this incident.