Krux
May 2, 2026
OpenAI Locks Down ChatGPT Accounts, Won't Help You Recover
Published: May 2, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Updated: May 2, 2026 at 12:10 AM
100-word summary
OpenAI just released Advanced Account Security, which blocks password logins entirely and requires physical security keys or passkeys instead. The catch: lose your keys and OpenAI Support explicitly cannot help you recover your account. No email reset, no SMS code, no exceptions. The feature also shortens login sessions and automatically excludes your conversations from training data. It's designed for security-conscious users facing real phishing threats, but it's now mandatory for Trusted Access for Cyber members starting June 1. OpenAI partnered with Yubico to sell discounted YubiKey bundles, essentially turning account security into a hardware dependency. The message is clear: pick between convenience and control, because you can't have both anymore.
What happened
OpenAI just released Advanced Account Security, which blocks password logins entirely and requires physical security keys or passkeys instead. The catch: lose your keys and OpenAI Support explicitly cannot help you recover your account. No email reset, no SMS code, no exceptions. The feature also shortens login sessions and automatically excludes your conversations from training data. It's designed for security-conscious users facing real phishing threats, but it's now mandatory for Trusted Access for Cyber members starting June 1. OpenAI partnered with Yubico to sell discounted YubiKey bundles, essentially turning account security into a hardware dependency.
Why it matters
The message is clear: pick between convenience and control, because you can't have both anymore.