Are gta online characters based on story mode protagonists?

The Wikipedia entry for Grand Theft Auto Online describes the game as the online multiplayer component of Grand Theft Auto V, noting its open‑world setting, player customization, and multiplayer modes. It does not mention any relationship between the characters that players control in GTA Online and the protagonists of the single‑player story mode in GTA V. Because the source provides no information on character origins or design decisions, we cannot confirm that GTA Online characters are based on the story mode protagonists. Further research would be required to determine any such connection.