OpenAI restricts Cyber tool despite criticizing Anthropic
openai is restricting access to gpt-5.5 cyber, a tool for penetration testing and reverse engineering, to select users. this comes after sam altman criticized anthropic for similar gatekeeping of mythos. access requires an application and credential verification.
OpenAI will roll out GPT-5.5 Cyber exclusively to 'critical cyber defenders' in the coming days, requiring an application process to verify credentials. The model performs penetration testing, vulnerability identification, and malware reverse engineering. OpenAI utilizes a 'Trusted Access for Cyber' (TAC) program to verify users, claiming the system has scaled to thousands of verified defenders and hundreds of teams. This restricted release strategy mirrors Anthropic's approach to its Mythos tool, a tactic Sam Altman previously criticized as fear-based marketing.