OpenAI Faces Backlash as ChatGPT Subscribers Report Secret Model Switching

OpenAI is facing mounting criticism from its paying ChatGPT subscribers after reports emerged that conversations are being rerouted to more conservative models without consent.

Over the past week, Reddit and other forums have been flooded with complaints from users who say their chats are silently switched away from premium models like GPT-4o or GPT-5 when discussing emotionally charged or legally sensitive topics.

The controversy stems from OpenAI’s updated safety policies, introduced this month, which apply stricter guardrails. While the company insists the changes are meant to ensure responsible AI behavior, many subscribers argue it undermines the value of their paid service.

“It’s like being forced to watch TV with parental controls locked on—even when you don’t need them,” one frustrated user wrote.

OpenAI acknowledged the practice, confirming that some queries are rerouted to alternative models with stricter filters. The company stressed that these safeguards aim to maintain user trust.

But critics say the lack of transparency—no notifications, no option to disable the feature—has left paying users dissatisfied and demanding greater control over the AI they signed up to access.