Regulators question transparency after Mixpanel data leak
Security experts say the Mixpanel case highlights longstanding weaknesses in behavioural-tracking systems.
Mixpanel is facing criticism after disclosing a security incident with minimal detail, providing only a brief note before the US Thanksgiving weekend. Analysts say the timing and lack of clarity set a poor example for transparency in breach reporting.
OpenAI later confirmed its own exposure, stating that analytics data linked to developer activity had been obtained from Mixpanel’s systems. It stressed that ChatGPT users were not affected and that it had halted its use of the service following the incident.
OpenAI said the stolen information included names, email addresses, coarse location data and browser details, raising concerns about phishing risks. It noted that no advertising identifiers were involved, limiting broader cross-platform tracking.
Security experts say the breach highlights long-standing concerns about analytics companies that collect detailed behavioural and device data across thousands of apps. Mixpanel’s session-replay tools can be sensitive, as they can inadvertently capture private information.
Regulators argue the case shows why analytics providers have become prime targets for attackers. They say that more transparent disclosure from Mixpanel is needed to assess the scale of exposure and the potential impact on companies and end-users.
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