OpenAI to Ease Adult Restrictions and Allow Erotica for Verified Users
Key Points
- OpenAI will allow verified adult users to access erotica content via an age‑gating system expected in December.
- Preemptive pop‑ups for mental‑health topics will be reduced for adult users, while crisis tools remain active.
- Safety protections for teenagers, including parental controls and a teen‑friendly version, will stay in place.
- The company is forming an AI‑and‑well‑being council with experts in psychology and human behavior.
- A new, more personable version of ChatGPT is scheduled for release in the next few weeks.
OpenAI announced plans to relax certain restrictions for adult ChatGPT users, including the potential to allow erotica for verified adults and to reduce preemptive pop‑ups for mental‑health topics. While safety tools for crisis situations will remain, the company aims to treat adult users like adults and maintain protections for minors. The changes are part of a broader effort to balance user freedom with safety, following earlier restrictions introduced after lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny.
OpenAI’s New Direction for Adult Users
OpenAI said it will modify how ChatGPT handles adult users, giving them more flexibility while preserving safety safeguards. The company plans to let verified adult users access erotica content, using an age‑gating system that is expected to roll out in December. This shift reflects OpenAI’s "treat adult users like adults" principle.
Adjusted Mental‑Health Handling
Recent changes will also reduce the number of preemptive pop‑ups and model rerouting for adult users discussing mental‑health topics. Tools that address crises will stay active for all users, but the approach to non‑crisis conversations will be less paternalistic, aiming to support long‑term goals without unnecessary interruptions.
Continued Safeguards for Minors
OpenAI emphasized that protections for teenagers will remain strict. Parental controls, alerts for risky behavior, and a teen‑friendly version of the chatbot will continue to be in place. The company also highlighted ongoing efforts to mitigate serious mental‑health issues and to comply with new regulations.
Broader Context and Future Plans
The adjustments come after lawsuits and regulatory attention, including a lawsuit from Ziff Davis and investigations by the Federal Trade Commission. OpenAI also announced the formation of an AI‑and‑well‑being council that includes experts in psychology and human behavior. A new version of ChatGPT with a more engaging personality is slated for release in the coming weeks.