ChatGPT Loses Millions of Users After Controversial Pentagon Deal
The "ChatGPT" service is facing tough times after the announcement of a deal made by OpenAI with the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) to use its artificial intelligence technologies in the department's secure network, sparking a widespread boycott campaign online.
According to the QuitGPT website, which aims to encourage users worldwide to boycott "ChatGPT" and track those who have left the platform, more than 2.5 million users have already canceled their subscriptions, according to data from the site's homepage on Friday.
* Reason for Anger and Shift to Competitors
The report indicates that this campaign has driven users to switch to the competing chat robot "Claude" from Anthropic, after the company refused to grant the U.S. Department of Defense unrestricted access to its models.
This move comes at a time when "ChatGPT" is facing negative backlash online due to recent contracts between OpenAI and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, making "Claude" an attractive option for users seeking alternatives.
To facilitate user transition, Anthropic has updated "Claude" to ease the transfer of personal data from chatbots like "ChatGPT", and "Claude" has topped the App Store, reflecting the declining popularity of ChatGPT.
* QuitGPT Campaign: A Clear Message
The homepage of the QuitGPT website features a live counter of the number of users who have left the platform, with a prominent message stating:
"ChatGPT accepts Trump’s deal for the killer robot. It’s time to leave.".
The site reveals that this campaign is led by a group of democracy activists who are deeply concerned about the contribution of AI companies to the "rise of authoritarianism in the United States", noting that some prefer to remain anonymous.
* Increasing Pressure on ChatGPT
As this shift continues and more users move to other platforms, "ChatGPT" faces a significant challenge in maintaining its user base, amid increasing pressure on the company and its reputation in the digital community.
