An online movement urging users to terminate their subscriptions to ChatGPT has picked up steam in response to OpenAI’s decision to integrate its technology into the US Department of Defense’s secure network.
Dubbed QuitGPT, the campaign’s website claims that over 1.5 million individuals have participated in the boycott. The site’s message reads: “ChatGPT supports Trump’s military technology deal. It’s time to walk away.”
The discontent arose after OpenAI disclosed a partnership with the Pentagon to deploy its models in classified networks. CEO Sam Altman, in a February 28 post on X, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and alignment with its principles in the agreement with the department.
Critics raised concerns that the agreement grants the government authority to utilize OpenAI’s technology for various purposes, potentially facilitating widespread surveillance and the development of autonomous weapons. Tensions escalated after rival AI company Anthropic rejected similar terms, vowing to legally challenge any government actions instead of compromising on surveillance safeguards and autonomous weaponry.
In a subsequent update on Monday, Altman indicated that OpenAI is collaborating with the Department of Defense to clarify certain aspects of the agreement. He assured that current terms prohibit OpenAI services from being utilized by intelligence agencies like the NSA, with any potential services requiring additional contract modifications.
The organisers of the QuitGPT boycott identify themselves as “democracy advocates” alarmed by AI firms contributing to “authoritarianism in the US.” They accuse OpenAI leadership of aligning with the Trump administration, highlighting donations made by president Greg Brockman and Altman in support of Trump-related causes.
The movement argues that despite ChatGPT’s status as the leading chatbot globally, OpenAI faces financial losses exceeding profits and a declining market share against competitors. Leveraging this vulnerability, the campaign aims to attract users, particularly young and progressive demographics, who may not be aware of alternative platforms.
The website encourages users to transition to alternative services such as Google’s Gemini or Anthropic’s Claude. While the exact number of subscription cancellations remains unknown, the boycott has generated significant traction on various social media platforms, including Reddit and X.