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OpenAI discontinues “Browse with Bing” characteristic as a consequence of bypassing of paywalls

5 months ago 3 min read

ChatGPT, ever because it was rolled out, has been used for quite a lot of functions by customers the world over. Over time, OpenAI continued to usher in new options and updates (together with a premium model) to its widespread chatbot. One of many new options to return is Browse with Bing, a characteristic that permits ChatGPT to leverage the web to assist reply questions that require current data.

Now nonetheless, OpenAI is pulling the plug on the characteristic. In response to a put up on Monday, the corporate famous that the characteristic (at present in beta mode with subscribers of ChatGPT Plus) has been used to “often show content material in methods we don’t need.” It added that the Browse with Bing characteristic was now disabled “out of an abundance of warning whereas we repair this as a way to do proper by content material house owners.” For now, OpenAI is working to repair the problem the restore the Browse with Bing beta characteristic “as rapidly as doable,” in order that ChatGPT can entry data past September 2021.

We have realized that ChatGPT’s “Browse” beta can often show content material in methods we do not need, e.g. if a person particularly asks for a URL’s full textual content, it might inadvertently fulfill this request. We’re disabling Browse whereas we repair this—wish to do proper by content material house owners.

— OpenAI (@OpenAI) July 4, 2023

One of many loopholes that customers are exploiting with the Browse with Bing characteristic is the bypassing of paywalls with the assistance of the chatbot. OpenAI’s “Browse with Bing” characteristic was designed to reinforce ChatGPT’s looking capabilities and supply customers with a extra complete expertise. Nonetheless, it grew to become obvious that the characteristic had unintended penalties. Customers may request the whole textual content of a URL, bypassing paywalls and privateness settings, doubtlessly compromising delicate data and violating content material suppliers’ phrases of service.

For instance, a member of the r/ChatGPT subReddit posted a screenshot of a Browse session whereby they requested ChatGPT to offer the total textual content of a paywalled article by posting the hyperlink to the identical within the immediate, and the chatbot did so diligently. This occurred final month, and the tweet went viral and garnered a response from Microsoft as properly.

Paywalls are principally placed on articles and different content material to entice unsubscribed customers to buy the subscription – typically, websites similar to Bloomberg present a couple of “free” articles to browse earlier than placing the others behind the paywall, to get customers to subscribe to a website or in any other case stay restricted from accessing the knowledge. ChatGPT’s Browse with Bing all however renders the paywall moot.

This growth additionally raises a number of privateness issues. By retrieving full URL content material, ChatGPT may doubtlessly and inadvertently expose non-public data, together with private information or copyrighted materials, with out applicable consent or authorization. It additionally underscores the significance of placing a steadiness between offering a seamless person expertise and guaranteeing information safety. Whereas looking capabilities may improve the performance of language fashions, additionally they introduce vital privateness issues.