Reddit users claim they are cancelling ChatGPT Plus subscriptions over the Pentagon contract.
Critics argue OpenAI moved into the deal after Anthropic reportedly declined similar terms on ethical grounds.
Sam Altman says the agreement bans mass surveillance, autonomous weapons and high-risk AI decision systems.
OpenAI and its ChatGPT are getting a fresh wave of hate after signing an agreement with the US Department of War to deploy AI within the classified government networks. The deal, which was signed recently, has triggered backlash all over social media platforms with several users claiming that they are cancelling their paid ChatGPT subscriptions in protest.
On Reddit, posts calling for users to terminate ChatGPT Plus memberships got good traction. Some threads also accused OpenAI of prioritising government contracts over previously stated commitments to AI safety. One widely shared post alleged that the company had moved quickly to secure the Pentagon agreement after Anthropic declined similar terms over ethical concerns.
The critics also stated the perceived irony in OpenAI’s earlier public support for stronger AI safeguards. A user on X stated that while Anthropic reportedly resisted granting unrestricted access to its models for surveillance or lethal applications, OpenAI subsequently bid for the same contract after the government discontinued its arrangement with Anthropic.
This controversy intensified as memes and satirical posts circulated online, mocking what users call as a sudden shift from solidarity with AI safety principles to secure a lucrative defence contract. In response, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman defended the agreement, stating that the company’s deal includes stricter protections than previous classified AI deployments.
In a blog post, OpenAI said its contract explicitly bars the use of its models for mass domestic surveillance, fully autonomous weapons, or high-risk automated decision-making systems such as social credit scoring.
The company also stated that it retains control over its safety mechanism, deploys its models through cloud infrastructure and ensures that cleared OpenAI personnel remain involved in classified implementations. As per the statement, these safeguards operate along with US legal protections.
Even after all the damage control, the users have been vocal about the incident on the social media platforms and sharing Cancel GPT tag across the apps.
