Microsoft, as reported by CNBC, has restricted access to certain AI tools for employees citing security and data protection issues. Notably, ChatGPT and other AI services such as Midjourney and Replika were only partially accessible on company devices. This restriction coincided with OpenAI’s disclosure of a DDoS attack on their system, leading to widespread disruptions following DevDay and causing delays in the GPT rollout.
Despite ChatGPT’s inherent safety features and Microsoft’s significant investment in OpenAI, the platform is considered a third-party service by Microsoft, urging caution due to potential privacy and security risks.
A Microsoft spokesperson attributed the temporary limitation to an inadvertent error during the testing of robust language models’ computational capabilities. The service was promptly restored upon detection of the issue. Microsoft recommends alternatives like Bing Chat Enterprise and ChatGPT Enterprise for enhanced privacy and security measures.
In response to inquiries from Gizmodo, neither Microsoft nor OpenAI provided immediate comments. Sam Altman refuted claims of retaliatory actions against Microsoft 365 users in a recent statement, emphasizing the misinformation surrounding the issue.
Previously, Apple cautioned its employees against using ChatGPT over concerns of data leaks, while Amazon advised against sharing sensitive code with OpenAI’s chatbot. The prevalence of security risks associated with ChatGPT has led several companies, including Microsoft, to restrict access to this large language model.
During DevDay, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI’s Sam Altman shared the stage amidst a backdrop of challenges, including disruptions and limitations on their flagship investment throughout the year.
