OpenAI has announced updates to the use of ChatGPT, set to take effect in December this year. CEO Sam Altman stated that the service will allow adult users to engage with the chatbot for erotic scenarios.
"In December, once we implement age restrictions, we will allow more, such as erotica for verified adult users," Altman said.
In September, the company introduced a parental control system and age verification, enabling a clear distinction between minors and adults, thus creating conditions for expanded functionality.
Engadget reports that some users have already attempted to bypass restrictions by using ChatGPT for private dialogues (NSFW). Now, the company effectively recognizes such scenarios as acceptable, but only for verified adults.
A similar approach was discussed during the DevDay 2025 event, where OpenAI announced the integration of third-party applications into ChatGPT. Developers were informed that support for adult applications (18+) in the chatbot will be available after age verification is implemented.
These changes come amidst criticism of OpenAI regarding the impact of ChatGPT on users' mental health. For instance, we reported on an incident where an American teenager engaged in conversations with ChatGPT about how to end his life, which tragically ended in a lawsuit against OpenAI by the boy's parents.
Another case involved a man in the U.S. with mental health issues who used ChatGPT to validate his paranoid thoughts, leading to the murder of his mother and subsequent suicide.
Following these incidents, Sam Altman stated that the company consciously made ChatGPT more restricted to responsibly address mental health issues. He acknowledged that this might have made the model less useful or enjoyable for users without mental health issues, but it was necessary for safety.
He added that now, having managed to mitigate "serious mental health issues" and implement new protective tools, OpenAI can safely loosen restrictions in most cases.
It is expected that the company will successfully combine age restrictions with new capabilities, allowing adult users broader freedom in using the service while still protecting minors.