OpenAI's secret Daybreak Blue revoked for top researchers

security researchers reported losing access to openai's daybreak blue tier, a program granting vetted professionals permission to use gpt‑5.6 sol for defensive security tasks like malware analysis and incident response. openai confirmed the revocations were due to a technical issue affecting a limited number of users, predominantly those outside the u.s. and europe, and has instructed researchers to re-verify their identities. the incident highlights the fragility of specialized access programs that rely on strict identity verification to prevent misuse by cybercriminals. openai simultaneously launched a higher tier, daybreak red, for more intrusive vulnerability research.