# OpenAI accuses Moonshot AI of extracting encrypted reasoning via 16,000 requests

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-30T11:27:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-accuses-moonshot-ai-of-extracting-encrypted-reasoning-via-16-00

## Summary

OpenAI has linked Moonshot AI, the lab behind the Kimi K3 model, to a coordinated campaign that attempted to extract encrypted reasoning from its models. In a post titled *Disrupting a coordinated model-distillation campaign*, OpenAI detailed efforts to bypass protections by manipulating model interactions across over 4,000 users, peaking at 16,000 requests on July 24–25. The campaign did not breach databases or decrypt conversations directly but reproduced protected reasoning in ways violating OpenAI’s terms of service, the company said.

The activity began July 1, with spikes tied to Kimi K3’s debut. OpenAI attributed the core cluster to Moonshot AI, echoing claims by the Trump administration and Anthropic earlier this year. Separately, a study found Kimi K3’s responses align unusually closely with Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.8, suggesting potential distillation. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s newer models and Anthropic’s Claude Mythos remain vulnerable to reasoning extraction, while China’s Z.ai (Zhipu) GLM-5.3 model showed partial capability in hijacking control flows.

## Key points

- OpenAI linked Moonshot AI to a 16,000-request campaign extracting encrypted reasoning via 4,000+ users
- Campaign began July 1, peaked July 24–25, disrupted by July 28 without database breaches
- Study shows Kimi K3’s responses mimic Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4.8, raising distillation concerns

## Why it matters

The case highlights escalating model-distillation risks, where competitors exploit weak points in encrypted reasoning to replicate proprietary logic. It also underscores vulnerabilities in leading models, including OpenAI’s and Anthropic’s, as labs race to secure their intellectual property.

## Sources

1. [Moonshot AI Of Kimi K3 Fame Tried To Crack OpenAI’s Encrypted Reasoning Through 16,000 Requests, Bolstering Trump Administration’s Distillation Claims](https://wccftech.com/moonshot-ai-of-kimi-k3-fame-tried-to-crack-openais-encrypted-reasoning-through-16000-requests-bolstering-trump-administrations-distillation-claims) (wccftech.com, 2026-09-30)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI accuses Moonshot AI of extracting encrypted reasoning via 16,000 requests", 30 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-accuses-moonshot-ai-of-extracting-encrypted-reasoning-via-16-00

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