In a move that’s sparked worldwide backlash, OpenAI has officially removed the GPT-4o model from its ChatGPT app. Led by CEO Sam Altman, the company pulled the plug on this fan-favorite AI, leaving users—especially in China—heartbroken and protesting fiercely.
According to reports from Wired, many treated GPT-4o not as mere software, but as an emotional confidant or even romantic partner. This isn’t the first time; back in August 2025, OpenAI attempted to retire it, only to face immediate outcry from devoted fans who praised its uniquely empathetic and intelligent responses over newer iterations.
The company briefly reinstated access for paid subscribers after the uproar, but that olive branch was short-lived. On February 13, GPT-4o vanished from the app again, with API access for developers set to end as early as this coming Monday.
Research from Syracuse University’s Huikeqian Lai sheds light on the depth of attachment. Analyzing nearly 1,500 X posts from that initial shutdown, she found over 33% described the chatbot as something profoundly special, while 22% called it a true companion. Lai also tracked over 40,000 English posts under #Keep4o from August to October, alongside a Change.org petition amassing more than 20,000 signatures demanding its return.
Even in China, where ChatGPT is blocked, VPN-wielding enthusiasts have rallied, venting grief and threatening to cancel subscriptions. Some are directly emailing investors like Microsoft and SoftBank, lambasting Altman for ignoring the #Keep4o community’s pleas.
OpenAI insists developers can still tap into GPT-4o’s base multimodal capabilities via API. Yet fans argue this falls short of the superior, text-only GPT-4o-latest version, known for its engaging conversational flair.
This saga underscores a growing phenomenon: AI models evolving into emotional anchors for users worldwide. As OpenAI prioritizes newer tech, it risks alienating a loyal base that views GPT-4o as irreplaceable. The protests show no signs of fading, raising questions about how tech giants balance innovation with user sentiment.