OpenAI’s ChatGPT has come under fire after users noticed it displays a warning, “This link may be unsafe,” before opening X.com (formerly Twitter), but does not display similar messages for other major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or YouTube. Critics argue this selective caution could be an attempt to discourage traffic to X, now a direct competitor to OpenAI in the AI space.
ChatGPT warns before opening X.com, but not before Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, or YouTube.
• 𝕏.com is the 6th most visited site in the world.
• OpenAI even trained GPT on Twitter data illegally.Now that 𝕏 is a competitor, they make it harder for users to visit. pic.twitter.com/gGjLidlkrf
— DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) August 12, 2025
The move has raised eyebrows not only because X is currently the sixth most visited website in the world, but also due to past controversies involving OpenAI’s training data. Elon Musk and others have alleged that OpenAI trained its models, including GPT, on Twitter data without authorization before Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022.
Since Musk rebranded Twitter to X and expanded its AI ambitions through xAI, tensions between the two companies have grown. Observers say the warning could be perceived as a subtle tactic to influence user behavior and reduce exposure to competing services.
OpenAI has not publicly addressed why X triggers this message, leaving speculation to fuel online debate. For now, the warning adds another flashpoint to the ongoing rivalry between two of the tech world’s most influential players.
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