OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a popular AI chatbot, recently disabled its Bing browsing feature after users discovered its ability to bypass paywalls on websites. This feature was exclusively available to ChatGPT Plus subscribers, who were able to access premium content from news outlets and other sources without paying for subscriptions. OpenAI made the announcement via a tweet, expressing its gratitude to ChatGPT Plus subscribers for their valuable feedback on the browsing feature during the beta phase.
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, has plans to reintroduce the feature shortly, but in the meantime, it has disabled the Browse with Bing beta feature to address concerns raised by content owners. The company is diligently working to restore the feature and appreciates users’ understanding of the process. OpenAI also updated its FAQ page to inform ChatGPT Plus subscribers about the situation.
The integration of Bing as a partner search engine for ChatGPT is a recent development by OpenAI. The collaboration between OpenAI and Microsoft has contributed to the rapid growth of OpenAI and its AI advancements. While Microsoft had already embraced the GPT large-language model, OpenAI’s integration of Bing provides users with enhanced web searches and instant content generation through ChatGPT.
The Browse with Bing integration empowers ChatGPT Plus users by providing them with up-to-date information from Microsoft’s search engine, surpassing the chatbot’s training data from September 2021. iPhone users of OpenAI’s ChatGPT app can activate the feature by enabling Browsing in the app’s settings and selecting “Browse with Bing” from the dropdown menu after switching to GPT-4 in the model selector.
OpenAI’s API, which grants universal access to ChatGPT, has led to its successful integration by numerous companies, including Snapchat, Microsoft, and Mercedes-Benz. ChatGPT’s status as a top AI chatbot stems from its ability to generate a large amount of content with just a short and simple prompt. However, the unintended paywall bypass of the Browse beta feature prompted OpenAI to temporarily disable it in order to rectify its flaws.
As OpenAI takes responsibility for upholding the rights of content owners, it is crucial to ensure that ChatGPT no longer bypasses paywalls. OpenAI’s decision to disable the Browse with Bing feature demonstrates its commitment to addressing concerns and protecting the interests of news outlets and other content creators who rely on paid subscriptions for revenue.
In conclusion, OpenAI’s ChatGPT temporarily disabled its Bing browsing feature after users discovered its paywall-bypassing potential. OpenAI is working to rectify the issue and plans to reintroduce the feature in the future. The integration of Bing with ChatGPT provides users with enhanced web searches and access to premium content. OpenAI’s decision to disable the feature shows its commitment to addressing concerns and protecting the rights of content owners.

