An online movement urging individuals to terminate their subscriptions to ChatGPT has gained traction in response to OpenAI’s decision to deploy its technology on the classified network of the US Department of War.
Dubbed QuitGPT, the campaign claims that over 1.5 million users have participated in the boycott. The group’s website asserts that ChatGPT’s involvement in a deal related to autonomous weapons prompted the call for users to discontinue their subscriptions.
The controversy emerged after OpenAI disclosed its partnership with the Pentagon to integrate its models into classified networks. CEO Sam Altman stated in a post on X on February 28 that the company had prioritized safety in the agreement with the department.
Critics of the arrangement raise concerns that the deal grants the government broad access to OpenAI’s technology, potentially facilitating mass surveillance and the development of autonomous weapons. The unease heightened when rival AI company Anthropic rejected similar terms, vowing to legally challenge any government actions that compromise safeguards against mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.
In a subsequent update, Altman mentioned that OpenAI is collaborating with the Department of War to clarify the agreement. He assured that the Pentagon has affirmed that OpenAI’s services will not be utilized by intelligence agencies such as the NSA under the existing deal, with any potential services requiring a modified contract.
The organisers of the QuitGPT boycott identify themselves as democracy activists apprehensive about AI firms contributing to authoritarianism in the US. They accuse OpenAI’s leadership of aligning with Trump, highlighting financial contributions made by key figures to Trump-affiliated political entities.
Emphasizing ChatGPT’s market vulnerability, the organisers point out that OpenAI incurs significant losses and is consistently losing market share to competitors. The movement aims to leverage this vulnerability, noting that ChatGPT’s user base predominantly comprises youthful and progressive individuals who may be unaware of alternative options.
The campaign advocates for users to transition to alternative platforms, such as Google’s Gemini or Anthropic’s Claude. While the actual number of subscription cancellations remains uncertain, the movement has garnered substantial visibility on various social media platforms, including Reddit and X.
