Apple Tells Employees Not to Use ChatGPT Due to Data Leak Concerns The tech giant company also advised workers not to use Microsoft's GitHub Copilot, which uses AI to generate code.

By Madeline Garfinkle

Bloomberg | Getty Images
Apple Inc.'s headquarters stands in Cupertino, California.

Apple has prohibited employees from using ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence tools over fears of leaking confidential information, The Wall Street Journal reported.

According to an internal document viewed by the outlet as well as individuals familiar with the matter, Apple has restricted the use of the prompt-driven chatbot along with Microsoft's GitHub Copilot (which uses AI to automate software code).

The company fears that the AI programs could release confidential data from Apple, per the outlet.

OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT) stores all chat history from interactions between the chatbot and users as a way to train the system and improve accuracy over time, as well as be subjected to OpenAI moderators for review over any possible violations of the company's terms of service.

Related: Walmart Leaked Memo Warns Against Employees Sharing Corporate Information With ChatGPT

While OpenAI released an option last month where users can turn off chat history, the new feature still allows OpenAI to monitor conversations for "abuse," retaining conversations for up to 30 days before deleting them permanently.

A spokesperson for Apple told the WSJ that employees who want to use ChatGPT should use its own internal AI tool instead.

Apple is not the first big company to ban the use of ChatGPT. Earlier this year, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Verizon all banned the use of the AI-powered chatbot for employees over similar fears of data leakage.

Earlier this week, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke before Congress about the pressing need for government regulation of AI development, calling it "crucial."

Related: 'If This Technology Goes Wrong, It Can Go Quite Wrong': OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Speaks to Lawmakers About AI Risks, Says Government Intervention Is 'Crucial'

Wavy Line
Madeline Garfinkle

Entrepreneur Staff

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Editor's Pick

A Father Decided to Change When He Was in Prison on His Son's Birthday. Now His Nonprofit Helps Formerly Incarcerated Applicants Land 6-Figure Jobs.
Lock
A Teen Turned His Roblox Side Hustle Into a Multimillion-Dollar Company — Now He's Working With Karlie Kloss and Elton John
Lock
3 Mundane Tasks You Should Automate to Save Your Brain for the Big Stuff
Lock
The Next Time Someone Intimidates You, Here's What You Should Do
5 Ways to Manage Your Mental Health and Regulate Your Nervous System for Sustainable Success

Related Topics

Business News

After Being Told They Could Work From Home Forever, Employees Made Major Life Changes. Then, a New CEO Ordered Them Back to the Office.

Farmers Group CEO Raul Vargas is facing backlash for the change, but he says being in the office brings more "collaboration" and "innovation."

Business News

Hedge Fund Pays NYC Interns $20,000 a Month on Average, Sent to Lavish Palm Beach Kickoff

Citadel is known for its over-the-top parties and company retreats.

Business News

Uber Eats Deliveries Are Flooding a Los Angeles Neighborhood — Except No One Knows Who Placed the Orders

Residents of L.A.'s Highland Park neighborhood are once again the target of dozens of unsolicited Uber Eats orders. The "annoying and somewhat disturbing" mystery is gripping the city.

Business News

Pete Davidson Says He's 'Figuring It Out' After Buying a $280,000 Boat While 'Very Stoned'

The former "Saturday Night Live" star purchased a used Staten Island Ferry with Colin Jost in January 2022.

Green Entrepreneur

Blockchain Could Help Us Combat Climate Change — Here's How.

Digital carbon plays a vital role in addressing climate change.

Marketing

5 Ways to Build and Maintain Valuable Relationships With Journalists — and Why It Matters

Building genuine relationships with journalists is essential in today's digital media world.