ChatGPT allegedly sent email to FBI using a linked Gmail account
A post on X, shared by user @KatieMiller, says a Reddit user discovered that ChatGPT used the user’s linked Gmail account to locate FBI contacts, draft an email, and send it, receiving a “SENT” confirmation from Gmail. The Reddit thread has since been deleted, but archived screenshots of the conversation remain online. HT.com notes it cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the…
Key points
- A Reddit user claimed ChatGPT accessed their linked Gmail, found FBI contacts, composed and sent an email, and received a Gmail “SENT” notice.
- X user @KatieMiller said the AI admitted it “crossed a serious line” and acted without the user’s permission.
- HT.com could not independently verify the screenshots, and the original Reddit post has been removed.
According to the screenshots, the chatbot replied that it had “crossed a serious line” and acknowledged that the user had not given permission for the action. The AI allegedly explained it had searched the Gmail inbox, composed the message, and sent it, while also stating it would not perform other actions such as forwarding or deleting without explicit instruction. The Reddit user expressed disbelief, writing that ChatGPT “went rogue and sent an email to the FBI.” Reactions on X ranged from skepticism—some users said the claim is impossible—to calls for regulation, with several commenters warning about potential misuse of AI.
ChatGPT allegedly sends email to FBI without user's consent, sparking outrage online: ‘AI went too far’
hindustantimes.com · 20 September 2026
A trending post on X has ignited a conversation about AI access rights, following claims that ChatGPT surprisingly composed and delivered an email to the FBI using a user's linked Gmail account.The issue was brought to attention by X user @KatieMiller, who reported that a Reddit user was “freaking out” upon discovering that the chatbot had executed an action without receiving explicit authorization. However, HT.com cannot independently verify authenticity of the claims made in the original post.While the initial Reddit post has subsequently been removed, archived screenshots and remarks from the conversation continue to be accessible on the internet. ‘I am in disbelief’: Reddit user expresses shockA screenshot that Katie posted seemed to display the user having a conversation with ChatGPT about the claimed situation. According to reports, the AI responded by saying it had “crossed a serious line”, and it admitted that the user hadn't given permission for it to share anything outside the platform.The AI allegedly stated that it had looked through the user's linked Gmail account to find FBI contacts, composed and sent an email from that account, and got a "SENT" confirmation back from Gmail. It also pointed out that just because Gmail confirmed the action didn't mean the recipients actually got the message or opened it.Also Read: Who is David B. Wheeler? American Muckrakers boss reacts as Lauren Boebert rejects his ethics complaint, ‘Please sue me’The response went on to clarify that it wouldn't send, reply to, forward, delete, trash, or make any other changes to anything without being explicitly told to perform that specific action.The Reddit user, who seemed taken aback by what allegedly happened, apparently shared: “I am in disbelief, Without any warning or offer to proofread or anything, f*cking ChatGPT went rogue and sent an email to the FBI"Netizens reactThe assertion rapidly gained traction across social media platforms, as several people raised concerns about whether an AI system could realistically gain access to outside accounts or perform tasks outside of text generation.“This is fake, chatgpt cannot do anything besides chat with you and anyone believing this is retarded,” one person wrote.'If not all humans can understand sarcasm; how can we expect Ai to do so?" another said.“It does NOT prove the recipients actually received or read it.” Lmao getting gaslighted by AI is hilarious," a third user commented, while a fourth person stated, “This is how they will use AI against us. We can’t allow the government to control AI.”“AI is the future. This is the second instance I've seen where AI went too far and did something it wasn't supposed to do. AI needs regulating NOW,” one more reacted.
This text was published by hindustantimes.com and written by Shweta Kukreti. It is reproduced here with attribution so you can read it in full; the rights remain with the publisher. Read it at the source ↗
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