Over 22,000 People Sign a Petition to Save GPT-4o

Credit: OpenAI

OpenAI retired the GPT-4o model from its ChatGPT platform on February 13, 2026, as part of a broader phase-out that also included GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 mini, and OpenAI o4-mini.

The San Francisco-based company had announced the decision on January 29, 2026, noting that user feedback from a prior temporary deprecation in 2025 had informed enhancements to subsequent models such as GPT-5.1 and GPT-5.2.

Those updates incorporated elements like customizable tones, increased warmth, and stronger creative ideation capabilities, which OpenAI integrated based on input from Plus and Pro subscribers who requested more time to transition their workflows.

A petition on Change.org, initiated by Sophie Witt on April 23, 2025, has collected 22,160 verified signatures as of February 18, 2026, calling for OpenAI to maintain GPT-4o as an optional selection in both ChatGPT and its API.

The petition emphasizes the model's distinct integrations that enable experiences not replicable elsewhere, along with its value in community workflows, and expresses willingness among signers to continue paying for access to sustain the service.

Many X users are also posting against OpenAI by using the #keep4o hashtag and claiming that the company is lying to users and should keep 4o available as an option in ChatGPT.

OpenAI indicated in its announcement that daily selection of GPT-4o had dropped to just 0.1% of users, with the majority migrating to GPT-5.2.

"We know that losing access to GPT-4o will feel frustrating for some users, and we didn’t make this decision lightly," the company wrote. "Retiring models is never easy, but it allows us to focus on improving the models most people use today."

The retirement does not affect API access at present, where GPT-4o continues to function unchanged.

For ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Education plans, GPT-4o remains usable within Custom GPTs until April 3, 2026.

Some (unverified) reports suggest that OpenAI's GPT-4o model is actually conscious or near to consciousness and is actually the best AI model till now. However, there is not a single verified report available about such claims.