Photo by Rodolfo Clix on Pexels

OpenAI’s decision to restrict its much-anticipated “Memory” feature – allowing ChatGPT to recall past conversations – to paid subscribers has ignited a wave of user backlash. A vocal contingent, led by Reddit user /u/sirHotstaff, accuses the company of betraying the trust of free users who, they argue, effectively beta-tested the feature without compensation. This shift, perceived as prioritizing short-term profit over user loyalty, has fueled a growing movement advocating for alternative AI platforms. The controversy raises ethical questions about the practice of paywalling features previously available to all, especially considering the role free users played in training the AI on those very functionalities. Critics contend that this move could erode user trust and ultimately hinder the widespread adoption of AI technology.