Chinese regulators have reportedly ordered major tech firms to remove workarounds that allowed access to ChatGPT, the popular AI chatbot developed by US-based OpenAI. The move comes as China intensifies its internet censorship and pushes for domestic alternatives.
ChatGPT is not officially available in China due to the country's comprehensive firewall and strict internet controls. However, many users accessed it via VPNs or third-party programs. These programs have now disappeared from platforms like WeChat, with Tencent and Ant Group reportedly instructed to cut access. Searches for ChatGPT on Chinese platforms no longer return results, and workaround programs have been disabled or suspended for violating regulations.
State media has warned that ChatGPT could be used to spread false information, with a China Daily article claiming the bot's responses on Xinjiang align with US political propaganda. The Chinese government denies allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, which have been documented by international bodies.
Dr Ilaria Carrozza of the Peace Research Institute Oslo noted the crackdown was unsurprising, as ChatGPT could raise sensitive topics like Xinjiang, Taiwan, and the Diaoyu islands. The ban has fueled a tech race in China to develop domestic chatbots, with companies like Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent announcing plans for AI models.
Baidu's Ernie Bot, expected to launch in March, is considered the most advanced. CEO Robin Li stated it is state-of-the-art in understanding Chinese language and culture. However, experts note that Chinese AI developers face challenges, including limited training data and regulatory pressures.
