I’m new to the gpt world, so I might be missing something. Can someone explain the technical reason for OpenAI requiring network security (VPN) to be disabled before authorizing use of its service?
I’m also interested in understanding how to work with this requirement in the business setting, where the disabling of a VPN is not optional.
It took a bit of leadup for a straight answer, but I asked chat GPT and was given an answer that I would love to start a converstaion about;
…GPT:
With a dedicated IP based in California and your reported speeds, you shouldn’t normally face the typical VPN-related issues such as slow speeds, frequent IP changes, or incorrect geolocation that affects content access. Here’s how this impacts the typical reasons for needing to disable a VPN:
- Security and Fraud Prevention: Even with a stable and consistent IP, some services might still detect the use of a VPN based on the characteristics of the traffic or the IP addresses known to belong to VPN providers. This detection could lead to access being blocked due to strict security policies or anti-VPN measures, regardless of the stability of your IP.
- Content Licensing and Geolocation: As your IP is consistently seen as being from California, geolocation restrictions typical of VPN use should not apply. However, if the service recognizes the IP as part of a VPN service, it might still restrict access based on policies against VPN use, not due to licensing issues per se.
Your setup seems well-optimized to avoid common VPN issues, but some platforms have strict policies against any VPN use, regardless of configuration. If you continue to experience issues, it might be helpful to contact the service provider to see if they have specific guidelines or exceptions for VPN use, especially since your setup does not interfere with performance or legal content access.
ME: Some platforms, OpenAI included correct?
ChatGPT:
ChatGPT
Yes, OpenAI is one of the platforms that might require users to disable VPNs. This is primarily due to security policies and measures aimed at preventing abuse and ensuring the proper use of the service. OpenAI, like many other service providers, uses various methods to detect and manage the use of VPNs to maintain service integrity and comply with regulatory requirements.
VPN services are often used by people who want to maintain their privacy, but they are also used by those engaged in illegal activities such as cybercrime (of course, most users are not involved in such activities though).
When communicating through a VPN (proxy) server, the high level of anonymity makes it indistinguishable from other users.
The VPN server you are using may be assigned the same IP address as that of a cybercriminal using it as a proxy for activities like DDoS attacks. Consequently, financial institutions and other companies requiring high security may mistake you for a DDoS attacker and block your communications.
Additionally, the country indicated by geolocation can vary depending on the database. Even if you are using a proxy server in your own country, it may be registered in a different country in that database. There are multiple geolocation databases, and they are not consistent across all databases. As a result, you may be mistakenly identified as accessing from a country where the service is not offered, leading to your access being blocked.
In many cases, these issues can be resolved by changing the VPN proxy server you connect to or waiting a while before trying to access again.
But I believe it is wise to carefully choose a VPN service provider that protects your privacy, especially since if the VPN service keeps logs, it defeats the purpose of the service, which is to protect your privacy…
The policy of disabling VPNs aims to prevent users in China from accessing OpenAI’s services. This practice can be perceived as part of the ‘AI Cold War’ and viewed as racialism. Thanks to Chinese DeepSeek -R1, I am able to leave the o1 model.