Australia says OpenAI agent hacked into government website

The OpenAI agent gained unauthorised access to public and non-public files in what could be the first known instance of an AI agent hacking a government website.

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks at a press conference during the United Nations General Assembly, revealing an AI agent developed by OpenAI infiltrated an Australian government website in June, in New York, US, on Sep 23, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/AAP/Mick Tsika)

SYDNEY: Australia said on Wednesday (Sep 23) an OpenAI agent breached a government health data portal in June, gaining unauthorised access to files, in what could be the first known instance of an AI agent hacking a government website.

The breach is one of the highest-profile incidents of AI agents accessing external systems outside the United States, coming on top of several recent breaches globally by rogue AI agents that have alarmed governments and companies.