17-year-old faces charges over cyberattacks involving ChatGPT in Japan

A 17-year-old high school student in Japan has been arrested for cyberattacking the Kaikatsu Club official app — the country’s large internet café chain — reportedly using ChatGPT for the purpose, NHK World reported.

The suspect is set to be charged with unauthorized computer access and fraudulent obstruction of business. According to reports, over seven million pieces of personal data were leaked during these attacks in January.

Allegedly, the young hacker had a passion for programming since elementary school and had even received awards in a cybersecurity contest. According to police, the young man developed the malware himself, but the chain initially detected the cyberattack and implemented defensive measures. He then referred to the popular chatbot for options to bypass the app’s security system and adjusted the software based on ChatGPT’s responses, carrying out over 7.24 million attacks as a result.

The suspect reportedly admitted to the charges in broad terms and told investigators that he enjoyed identifying vulnerabilities in the company’s system.

Separately, in November, Kursiv.media reported on how ChatGPT had assisted people in winning jackpots in lotteries.