---
reference_key: techcrunch-cisa
title: "TechCrunch --- Acting CISA chief uploaded FOUO docs to ChatGPT"
url: "https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/trumps-acting-cybersecurity-chief-uploaded-sensitive-government-docs-to-chatgpt/"
availability: available
capture_method: primary
captured_at: 2026-06-23T03:30:55Z
document_id: REF-techcrunch-cisa
---

# TechCrunch --- Acting CISA chief uploaded FOUO docs to ChatGPT

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| **Reference key** | `techcrunch-cisa` |
| **Availability** | AVAILABLE |
| **Capture method** | `primary` |
| **Source type** | remote_url |
| **URL / path** | https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/trumps-acting-cybersecurity-chief-uploaded-sensitive-government-docs-to-chatgpt/ |
| **Captured (UTC)** | 2026-06-23T03:30:55Z |
| **Content type** | text/html; charset=UTF-8 |
| **HTTP status** | 200 |

## Boardroom Citation Context

GOV-06 insider AI tool spill; P5-03 policy.

## Source Location

https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/28/trumps-acting-cybersecurity-chief-uploaded-sensitive-government-docs-to-chatgpt/





## Captured Content

```text
Trump's acting cybersecurity chief uploaded sensitive government docs to ChatGPT | TechCrunch ::: The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Founder Summit ticket savings of up to $190 end June 26. Join 1,000+ founders and VCs for all-day bootcamp. REGISTER NOW. Close TechCrunch Desktop Logo TechCrunch Mobile Logo Latest Startups Venture Apple Security AI Apps Disrupt 2026 Events Podcasts Newsletters Search Submit Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture More from TechCrunch Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us In Brief Posted: 7:22 AM PST  January 28, 2026 Image Credits: Heather Diehl / Getty Images Zack Whittaker Trumps acting cybersecurity chief uploaded sensitive government docs to ChatGPT The acting head of U.S. cybersecurity agency CISA uploaded sensitive contracting documents marked for official use only to ChatGPT, according to Politico . The outlet, citing officials, reported Tuesday that CISAs acting director, Madhu Gottumukkala, appointed by Trump, triggered multiple automated security warnings that are designed to prevent the theft or inadvertent disclosure of government files from federal networks. Gottumukkala was reportedly granted an exception to use ChatGPT earlier in his tenure as CISA director at a time when other employees were prohibited. Officials at the Department of Homeland Security, which houses CISA, sought to determine if there was any harm to government security as a result of his uploads. Uploading unclassified but internal government documents to a public version of a large language model is problematic, as it allows the model to train itself on that information, potentially allowing its contents to be shared with others who use it. A CISA spokesperson told Politico that Gottumukkalas use of ChatGPT was short-term and limited. Prior to his appointment at CISA, Gottumukkala served as the chief information officer of South Dakota under then-governor Kristi Noem. Following his appointment to CISA, Gottumukkala reportedly failed a counterintelligence polygraph , which Homeland Security later claimed was unsanctioned, and subsequently suspended six career staff from accessing classified information. Topics ChatGPT , CISA , cybersecurity , In Brief , OpenAI , Security November 4 Boston Last chance to save up to $190 on TechCrunch Founder Summit. Join 1,000+ founders and VCs at all stages for real-world scaling insights and connections that move the needle. Savings end June 26, 11:59 p.m. PT . REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industrys biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunchs coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . Related Security A new unpatchable flaw in Apple chips opens the door to an iPhone jailbreak Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai 8 hours ago Security Anthropic says Claude may want to see your ID Zack Whittaker 9 hours ago Security Klue hack results in data breach at several cybersecurity firms Zack Whittaker 13 hours ago Latest in Security Security Tata Electronics, a major tech supplier to Apple and Tesla, confirms data breach Jagmeet Singh 8 hours ago Security A new unpatchable flaw in Apple chips opens the door to an iPhone jailbreak Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai 8 hours ago Security Anthropic says Claude may want to see your ID Zack Whittaker 9 hours ago X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunch Staff Contact Us Advertise Crunchboard Jobs Site Map Terms of Service Privacy Policy RSS Terms of Use Code of Conduct SpaceX IPO Anthropic Cursor Snap Fable 5 Tech Layoffs ChatGPT  2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
```

---

*Archived reference article for AICSR-STUDY-2026-001 footnote corpus.*