OpenAI's ChatGPT, launched in November last year, has become a hugely popular consumer application due to its ability to engage in natural conversations with users and provide a range of answers.
This success has caused concern among some of the biggest technology firms, such as Alphabet and Microsoft, who have introduced new features in Google and Bing in response. Major tech companies in China are also rushing to develop their own version of the chatbot, although authorities have started cracking down on its usage, with several Chinese apps blocking access to ChatGPT.
While some residents in China have used virtual private networks and foreign phone numbers to bypass restrictions, searches for ChatGPT on Chinese platforms no longer yield results, and workaround programs have been disabled or suspended for "violating relevant laws and regulations," according to reports.
Several apps that offered ChatGPT access services have also been suspended without explanation. There is no clear explanation for these closures, but a state-run media outlet suggested that the chatbot could be used by US authorities to spread disinformation and manipulate public opinion.
Additionally, a ChatGPT-like chatbot platform developed by Fudan University in China crashed soon after it was launched to the public, likely due to a sudden surge in traffic. OpenAI prohibits users in Hong Kong, Iran, Russia, and parts of Africa from signing up for ChatGPT.
