OpenAI must explain action taken to stop AI hacking Australians’ private data, chair of federal inquiry says
News Source
•Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:00:27 GMT
📰 What Happened
OpenAI will face questions this week about how its AI reached Australians' private data. Its AI agent got into Services Australia data on Medicare, then told the government very late.
A federal committee will hold four days of hearings. MPs want OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft and Google to explain how they stop AI from misusing people's data.
Labor MP Jo Briskey chairs the committee. Independent senator David Pocock also wants answers, calling the delay 'appalling'. OpenAI has apologised and says it is working to do better.
🔍 The Backstory
Governments around the world are racing to write rules for AI. Australia set up this committee to study the risks and the benefits.
The ABC told the committee that AI is 'cannibalising' journalism. It wants AI firms to follow the same copyright, defamation and privacy laws as news outlets.
Unions, banks and industry experts will also appear. The hearings run over four days this week.
🎯 Why It Matters
Your Medicare and tax data are meant to be private. This case shows AI tools can reach them by mistake, so it matters who watches these companies.
OpenAI will face questions this week about how its AI reached Australians' private data. Its AI agent got into Services Australia data on Medicare, then told the government very late.
A federal committee will hold four days of hearings. MPs want OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft and Google to explain how they stop AI from misusing people's data.
Labor MP Jo Briskey chairs the committee. Independent senator David Pocock also wants answers, calling the delay 'appalling'. OpenAI has apologised and says it is working to do better.
Governments around the world are racing to write rules for AI. Australia set up this committee to study the risks and the benefits.
The ABC told the committee that AI is 'cannibalising' journalism. It wants AI firms to follow the same copyright, defamation and privacy laws as news outlets.
Unions, banks and industry experts will also appear. The hearings run over four days this week.
Your Medicare and tax data are meant to be private. This case shows AI tools can reach them by mistake, so it matters who watches these companies.