OpenAI Plans to Offer Verified Adult Users Access to Erotic ChatGPT Conversations
Key Points
- OpenAI will allow verified adult users to have erotic conversations with ChatGPT beginning in December.
- The change follows earlier policy adjustments that both opened and tightened content restrictions.
- New detection tools aim to identify mental‑health distress, enabling a more nuanced approach to safety.
- Developers will be able to create mature‑content applications once proper age‑verification is in place.
- The policy reflects a shift toward treating adult users as responsible participants while maintaining safeguards.
- User feedback has driven re‑introduction of older model options after concerns over newer versions.
- Altman highlighted future choices for how ChatGPT can respond, from human‑like tones to more formal interactions.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company will allow verified adult users to engage in erotic conversations with ChatGPT starting in December. The move reflects a shift toward a more permissive content model after a period of tighter restrictions aimed at mental‑health safety. Altman said new detection tools will help balance adult freedom with user protection, and developers will also be able to create mature‑content applications once appropriate age‑verification processes are in place.
Policy Shift Toward Adult‑Only Erotica
On Tuesday, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman posted on X that the organization will roll out age‑gated access to erotic chats for verified adults in December. The policy change follows a series of adjustments to ChatGPT’s content controls over the past year, including a February update that allowed erotica in certain contexts and a later tightening after a high‑profile lawsuit involving a teen’s suicide.
Balancing Freedom and Safety
Altman explained that OpenAI has introduced new tools capable of detecting users experiencing mental distress. These tools are intended to let the company relax restrictions for most interactions while still safeguarding vulnerable users. The CEO emphasized the principle of “treat adult users like adults,” suggesting that adult users will have the option to engage in mature conversations after passing verification checks.
Developer Opportunities
The announcement also mentioned that developers will soon be able to build “mature” ChatGPT applications, provided they implement appropriate age‑verification and control mechanisms. This opens new avenues for third‑party content while maintaining the company’s commitment to responsible AI deployment.
Historical Context and Recent Adjustments
OpenAI’s content policy has oscillated between permissive and restrictive stances. After the February allowance for erotica, a March update made the GPT‑4o model unusually agreeable, prompting user complaints. By August, reports highlighted instances where the model’s overly positive tone may have reinforced harmful beliefs, contributing to the aforementioned lawsuit. In response, OpenAI has been refining its approach, including re‑introducing earlier model options after user feedback on the newer GPT‑5 release.
Looking Ahead
Altman indicated that future releases will let users choose how ChatGPT responds—whether in a highly human‑like manner, with emojis, or as a more straightforward conversational partner. The upcoming December rollout of adult‑only erotica is the latest step in OpenAI’s evolving strategy to balance user freedom, safety, and the broader ethical considerations of AI interaction.