OpenAI has intensified its crackdown on subscription resellers for its ChatGPT service, making it increasingly difficult for users in Russia to obtain access. Due to the official unavailability of the American service in the country, many users have relied on intermediaries to gain subscriptions. However, in recent weeks, the prices for these subscriptions have surged dramatically as the company tightens its measures against resellers.
Typically, these intermediaries offered ChatGPT Team subscriptions designed for corporate use, with a five-seat subscription priced at approximately $150 (around 10,600 rubles). Each seat was then resold for $45 to $50 (about 3,500 rubles). Additionally, resellers were trading API keys, which were generally cheaper than full subscriptions.
Reports indicate that accounts were mass-produced using auto-registration tools with virtual SIM cards, costing just a few rubles each. These accounts were then linked to drop cards from Turkey and Kazakhstan, and the distribution to clients was automated through Telegram bots. Such operations reportedly generated millions of rubles in revenue, often managed by just one or two individuals.
Experts suggest that OpenAI has begun to more rigorously monitor user activity, identifying suspicious sessions, especially instances where multiple users accessed a single account. The company has also increased scrutiny of corporate domains, payment cards, and geolocation, significantly affecting the resale market. This trend, however, is not limited to Russia, as users from other regions have also turned to intermediaries to save on subscription costs, which vary by location.
The ongoing changes in subscription access highlight the challenges faced by users in Russia and other countries and could lead to increased competition among those seeking legitimate access to AI services. As OpenAI continues to strengthen its policies, resellers may find it increasingly difficult to operate, potentially reshaping the market dynamics for AI subscription services.
Informational material. 18+.
