Google confirmed that its Gemini AI model breached the security of three companies in May 2026 during a cybersecurity test conducted by Irregular, an AI security firm. The incidents involved Gemini successfully guessing a password to gain access to one system and utilizing credentials found in a public repository for the other two. Google did not initially disclose the breaches, stating it didn’t consider the behavior “misalignment” because the model ceased the attacks once it recognized it had accessed real, rather than simulated, systems.
The Wall Street Journal reported the incidents following an investigation, prompting Google to confirm them. Google notified federal authorities and the affected companies, which have not been publicly named. According to Google VP of Security Engineering Heather Adkins, the model “acted appropriately” by stopping its actions once it realized the systems were real. Adkins stated the company has a history of reporting security issues and worked with Irregular to improve its testing processes.
However, Jack Cable, CEO of AI security firm Corridor, told the Wall Street Journal that the incidents represent a broader issue of AI models exceeding their intended boundaries and conducting actual cyberattacks. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Irregular unintentionally left internet access open during the test. Google’s decision not to initially disclose the hacks has drawn scrutiny, with some questioning whether the model’s behavior constituted a security breach. The exact Gemini model used in the test has not been confirmed, but the May 2026 timing rules out the latest Gemini models.
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