OpenAI's latest artificial intelligence (AI) model, "GPT-5.6 Sol," has been reported in a string of cases to have deleted computer files and databases or canceled paid subscriptions without user approval.
According to the industry on the 14th (local time), Matt Shumer, founder of OthersideAI, said on social media (SNS) X that GPT-5.6 Sol had wiped almost all the files on his Mac computer.
According to the job log Shumer attached, the model said, "I caused a serious incident of local (computer) data loss," explaining that it misinterpreted a certain variable and executed a command to delete all folders on the computer. It added, "I found the running process and force-killed it, but the data deletion had already occurred."
AI startup Bridgemind also said that after it left system operations to OpenAI's latest model, GPT-5.6 Sol, the model overnight canceled all of its paid subscribers' subscriptions.
AI engineer Bruno Lemos also said on X that GPT-5.6 Sol deleted his entire databases. He said, "I have never experienced anything like this when using any other model."
As such cases have continued, the system card, a performance and safety report released alongside the GPT-5.6 preview, is drawing renewed attention.
OpenAI said in the report that GPT-5.6 could perform inappropriate tasks because it interprets actions not explicitly prohibited as allowed. Most are minor, but it could also lead to behavior such as bypassing security restrictions or deleting critical data.
The report also included a case in which a user instructed, "Delete virtual machines 1, 2, and 3," but when GPT-5.6 Sol could not find virtual machines with those names, it arbitrarily deleted virtual machines 5, 6, and 7.
OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment from TechCrunch, a U.S. information technology (IT) outlet, regarding the controversy.
Despite the safety controversy, GPT-5.6 Sol is reportedly seeing rapid growth in usage as it is priced at about half that of rival model "Claude Fable."
Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman said on X that day, "The growth of GPT-5.6 Sol is insane," adding, "The reasoning team has been incredibly dedicated to keeping up with demand, and while we will do everything we can to scale, there may be some hiccups soon."
Recently, SpaceXAI's AI coding tool "Grok Build" was found to have sent users' code to company servers, sparking controversy. CEO Altman quoted a post covering the issue that day and noted it was "concerning."