OpenAI Opens GPT-5.6 to Limited Users at US Government's Request

On June 26, 2026, OpenAI said it would initially limit its new GPT-5.6 models to a small group of trusted partners at the request of the US government, while arguing that such government access reviews should not become a long-term norm. In its statement, OpenAI explicitly said, "We don’t believe this kind of government access process should become the long-term default," cooperating as a short-term measure while maintaining its support for broad access (announcement, report).