Hello 👋 get a brew on because these are the top emerging risks between August 11th, and August 25th, 2025…
Review our report’s terminology here ↗
Our main risk this fortnight is…
1. Technological: Shared LLM Conversations Permanently Archived
OpenAI removed 50,000 ChatGPT conversation links from Google search results, but over 110,000 remain permanently accessible on the Wayback Machine
Users voluntarily shared conversations assuming privacy, but links were fully public and indexable by search engines
Archived conversations include sensitive personal, legal, and corporate information spanning lawyers, trauma survivors, students, and companies
Similar exposure risks exist across other AI platforms including Claude and Grok where shared chats are exploited for SEO manipulation
Shadow data trails create permanent privacy and security risks that organisations cannot control or delete once archived
Sources
OpenAI Is Pulling Shared ChatGPT Chats From Google Search | Search Engine Journal | August 1, 2025
ChatGPT Confessions gone? They are not ! | Digital Digging | August 2025
More than 130,000 Claude, Grok, ChatGPT, and Other LLM Chats Readable on Archive.org | 404 Media | August 2025
OpenAI removes ChatGPT feature after private conversations leak to Google search | VentureBeat | August 2025
You should be concerned if…
Legal and Professional Services: Law firms, consultancies, and advisory services using AI for client work face exposure risks where confidential strategies, case details, or proprietary methodologies could be permanently accessible to competitors and the public.
Healthcare Organisations: Any medical entity that used AI tools to discuss patient cases, treatment plans, or medical research could have inadvertently created permanent public records containing sensitive health information or proprietary medical insights.
Corporate Strategy Teams: Companies using AI for competitive analysis, product development, or internal planning may have exposed confidential business strategies, market analysis, or intellectual property through shared conversation links.
Educational Institutions: Universities and schools where staff or students shared academic work, research data, or institutional planning via AI tools could face integrity issues and exposure of sensitive educational or research information.
Government Contractors: Organisations handling sensitive or classified information who integrated AI tools into workflows may have created permanent security vulnerabilities through unintended public archiving of sensitive communications.
These items are generic assumptions. We recommend considering your own unique risk landscape against your critical dependencies. If you don’t know what they are, get in touch.
Preventative actions
Audit Historical AI Shares
Search for your organisation using "site:chatgpt.com/share +your brand" to identify potential exposures and assess current risk levels from previously shared conversations that may still be publicly accessible.
Implement AI Governance Policies
Treat AI interactions like permanent corporate communications requiring the same data protection standards as email systems, with clear protocols on what information can and cannot be shared with AI platforms.
Disable Memory Functions
Turn off data retention features in AI tools where possible to minimise future exposure risks and prevent unintended data persistence that could later become publicly accessible through sharing features.
Staff Training Programs
Educate teams to assume any AI interaction could become permanently public and archived indefinitely, establishing a cultural shift toward treating AI conversations with the same caution as public communications.
Data Classification Protocols
Establish clear guidelines based on sensitivity levels determining what information can and cannot be shared with AI systems, including proprietary data, client information, and strategic planning materials.
2. Economic: Potato Mop-Top Virus Detection in Australia
First detection of potato mop-top virus in Australia confirmed in north-west Tasmania on July 18, 2025, affecting a single farm property
Virus affects potato quality and appearance but poses no food safety or human health risks, making infected potatoes unmarketable due to discolouration
Tasmania produces over 30% of Australia's potatoes, making this detection a significant national food security concern requiring immediate containment efforts
Virus spreads through soil-borne pathogens and can remain viable in soil for up to 20 years, making eradication extremely difficult once established
Incident Management Team activated with tracing and containment efforts underway while experts warn of potential price increases across Australian potato markets
Sources
Potato mop-top virus detected in Tasmania | Premier of Tasmania | August 14, 2025
Mop-top potato virus detected for first time in Australia | Potato News Today | August 13, 2025
Shoppers urged to change expectations as food disease found in Australia for first time | Yahoo News Australia | August 2025
Potato mop-top virus detected in Australia for the first time | Fruitnet | August 14, 2025
You should be concerned if…
Food Processing Industry: Companies dependent on consistent potato supply for manufacturing chips, frozen products, or processed foods could face increased sourcing costs and supply constraints if the virus spreads beyond the initial detection site.
Retail and Food Service: Supermarkets, restaurants, and food service providers may encounter supply shortages and price increases affecting potato-based menu items and retail pricing strategies across Australian markets.
Agricultural Businesses: Potato growers, agricultural contractors, and equipment suppliers operating in or near Tasmania face immediate biosecurity risks requiring enhanced protocols and potential operational restrictions affecting business continuity.
Export-Dependent Operations: Businesses relying on Australian potato exports could encounter international quarantine restrictions and trade barriers as importing countries implement protective measures against virus introduction.
Supply Chain Managers: Organisations with just-in-time inventory systems or single-source potato dependencies are vulnerable to agricultural supply disruptions requiring immediate contingency planning and supplier diversification strategies.
Preventative actions
Supplier Diversification
Establish potato supply relationships across multiple states and regions to reduce concentration risk and improve supply chain resilience against localised biosecurity incidents or agricultural disruptions.
Contract Risk Assessment
Review supply agreements for force majeure clauses covering biosecurity incidents and agricultural emergencies, ensuring legal protection during supply disruptions beyond supplier control.
Inventory Buffer Planning
Where shelf life permits, maintain strategic potato reserves to weather short-term supply disruptions without operational impact, balancing storage costs against continuity benefits.
Biosecurity Protocol Implementation
For agricultural businesses, establish dedicated equipment washing stations and restrict contractor vehicle movement to prevent cross-contamination between properties and reduce virus transmission risks.
Contingency Supply Planning
Develop alternative sourcing strategies for critical food inputs including international suppliers and substitute ingredients to maintain business continuity during extended agricultural crises or biosecurity emergencies.
Quick snippet stories
Gas Crisis Warning in New Zealand New Zealand's natural gas consumption fell to its lowest level since 2011 in 2024, with supply down nearly 21% due to natural field decline and revised reserve estimates. While renewables made up a record 45.5% of the country's primary energy, major gas users like Methanex and Ballance Agri-Nutrients have faced plant closures and supply challenges. Industry experts warn of a "death spiral" for the gas network and call for a clear national energy strategy.
Gas 'crisis' warning as MBIE warns again supply falling faster than expected | RNZ | August 2025
New Zealand Faces Most Challenging Security Environment New Zealand's Security Intelligence Service has warned that the country faces its most serious national security threats in recent times, with foreign interference and espionage—particularly from China—posing significant risks to critical organisations, infrastructure, and technology. The annual Security Threat Environment report stated there is almost certainly undetected espionage activity harming New Zealand's interests. In response, the government announced a NZ$2.7 billion investment to strengthen its defence force.
New Zealand faces most challenging security environment in recent time, report shows | Reuters | August 21, 2025
Innotiv Drug Development Hit by Ransomware A ransomware attack affected Innotiv, a drug development company, disrupting core research and data operations. This event draws attention to the necessity of robust cybersecurity as a pillar of business continuity—especially for companies handling sensitive intellectual property. Backup systems, regular security audits, and rapid response protocols are critical to limit operational downtime and protect business credibility.
Innotiv Drug Development Hit by Ransomware | The Record | August 2025
Vishing and AI Voice Cloning Threats The evolution of vishing, now powered by AI voice cloning, poses modern threats for business continuity. Deepfake scams can bypass traditional security protocols, leading to potential data breaches or financial fraud. Businesses must upgrade awareness programs and consider advanced verification methods to reduce risk and maintain continuity in communications and transactions.
Vishing and AI Voice Cloning: New Deepfake Scams | CyberShack | August 2025
Rising OT Threats Target Critical Infrastructure Operational Technology threats are increasing, putting critical infrastructure at elevated risk and jeopardizing essential services. Targeted cyberattacks can disrupt utilities and manufacturing, affecting business continuity industry-wide. Companies should integrate OT security with physical asset protection and incident response plans to mitigate potential downtime and service failures.
Rising OT Threats: Risks for Critical Infrastructure | TechTarget | August 2025
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At Fixinc, we are passionate about helping people get through disasters. That’s why our team of Advisors bring you this resource free of charge. If you need help understanding these threats and building a plan against them, the same Advisors are here to help over a 30-minute online call. Once complete, if you like what was provided, you can choose to provide a donation or subscribe to Unreasonable Ventures to support this channel.
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