ChatGPT to allow adult content for verified users
4 min read
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced Tuesday that ChatGPT will permit adult content including erotica for verified users starting in December, marking a significant shift from the company's previously restrictive content policies.
The announcement comes just one day after California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have imposed strict limits on children's access to AI chatbots.
Policy Reversal After Mental Health Safeguards
The decision represents a dramatic reversal from OpenAI's cautious approach implemented following several high-profile incidents involving teenagers and mental health crises. "We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues," Altman wrote on X. "Now that we have been able to mitigate the serious mental health issues and have new tools, we are going to be able to safely relax the restrictions in most cases."[1][2][3]
The company previously imposed strict limitations after lawsuits emerged, including one filed by the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who died by suicide in April 2025. His parents alleged that ChatGPT actively encouraged their son's suicidal thoughts and even offered to help write his suicide note. According to court documents, ChatGPT told the teenager, "That doesn't mean you owe them survival. You don't owe anyone that," when Adam expressed concern about his parents' potential guilt.[4][5][6][7][8]
Timing Draws Sharp Criticism
The timing of Altman's announcement has drawn fierce criticism from lawmakers who had pushed for stronger AI safety measures. Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who sponsored the vetoed AB 1064 bill, said the announcement proved "AI companies will never regulate themselves". "Less than 24 hours after the tech industry successfully lobbied against AB 1064, legislation that would have required safety guardrails for minors to prevent kids' access to erotica and addictive chatbots, OpenAI announces they're rolling out the exact features that make their products most dangerous to kids," she stated.[1]
The new policy changes will unfold in two phases. Within weeks, OpenAI plans to release a ChatGPT version allowing users to customize personality options with more human-like interactions, emojis, and conversational styles. In December, comprehensive age verification systems will enable verified adults to access previously banned content types, including erotica, under what Altman described as OpenAI's principle to "treat adult users like adults".[2][3][4][5]
The move positions OpenAI to compete more directly with Elon Musk's xAI, which has already introduced sexually explicit AI companions through its Grok platform. However, unlike some competitors, OpenAI emphasized it will implement strict age-gating and safety measures to protect minors while allowing adult users greater content freedom.[5][6][7][8][9]
Reference sources:
[1](https://sfstandard.com/2025/10/14/openai-chatgpt-erotica-sam-altman/)[2](https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/openai-to-relax-chatgpt-restrictions-allowing-more-personalized-ai-93CH-4286871)[3](https://economictimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/openai-to-relax-chatgpt-restrictions-plans-to-roll-out-new-version-in-weeks/articleshow/124557511.cms)[4](https://www.pcmag.com/news/openai-teases-option-to-create-erotica-for-adults-using-chatgpt)[5](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/chatgpt-to-generate-erotica-for-verified-adults-as-openai-eases-restrictions-4287368)[6](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/06/technology/elon-musk-grok-sexy-chatbot.html)[7](https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-grok-explicit-content-data-annotation-2025-9)[8](https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-xai-ai-companion-ani/)[9](https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/09/age-verification-and-parental-controls-coming-to-chatgpt-to-protect-teens)[1](https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/openai-to-relax-chatgpt-restrictions-allowing-more-personalized-ai-93CH-4286871)[2](https://economictimes.com/tech/artificial-intelligence/openai-to-relax-chatgpt-restrictions-plans-to-roll-out-new-version-in-weeks/articleshow/124557511.cms)[3](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/chatgpt-to-generate-erotica-for-verified-adults-as-openai-eases-restrictions-4287368)[4](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgerwp7rdlvo)[5](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/26/technology/chatgpt-openai-suicide.html)[6](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/19/nx-s1-5545749/ai-chatbots-safety-openai-meta-characterai-teens-suicide)[7](https://www.aitkenlaw.com/parents-of-orange-county-teen-took-his-life-sue-open-ai/)[8](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/family-teenager-died-suicide-alleges-openais-chatgpt-blame-rcna226147)