In December, OpenAI will relax ChatGPT’s restrictions, allowing verified adults to access mature content. Here’s what you need to know about the new feature.
OpenAI is about to flip a significant switch: beginning December 2025, verified adult users of ChatGPT will be able to access mature content, including erotic or sensual narratives, under a new “treat adult users like adults” policy.
For much of its lifetime, ChatGPT has steered clear of explicit themes, and even modest romantic content often triggered content moderation. That cautious approach, intended to prioritize mental health safety, also frustrated many users seeking more expressive interactions.
But now, OpenAI believes it’s ready to responsibly relax some of those boundaries. CEO Sam Altman, in a post on X, explained that as stronger tools and safeguards emerge, the company is comfortable unlocking more flexibility for consenting adult users.
We made ChatGPT pretty restrictive to make sure we were being careful with mental health issues. We realize this made it less useful/enjoyable to many users who had no mental health problems, but given the seriousness of the issue we wanted to get this right.
The feature will be opt-in, not forced on everyone. Users won’t see erotic content unless they explicitly request it.
A full age-gating and verification system will be rolled out to ensure only legitimate adults access the feature. OpenAI hasn’t fully revealed the verification methods yet.
Additional personalization features are also on the horizon: you’ll soon be able to tweak ChatGPT’s tone, personality, and vibe (friend-like, emoji-heavy, more human), if you want.
This move is a signal that OpenAI wants to balance freedom, expression, and safety. While they maintain tight guardrails against non-consensual, illegal, or exploitative content, this shift acknowledges that many users want to explore mature themes in private, creative settings.
That said, the announcement does come amid heightened regulatory heat. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is probing how AI chatbots might affect minors and vulnerable populations. Plus, OpenAI recently introduced parental controls for under-18 users to limit exposure, manage memory settings, and block sensitive content.
Whether this change becomes a shining example of responsible and ethical AI or a controversial pivot depends on implementation, moderation, and continual oversight. But one thing is clear: OpenAI is wading into new territory, giving adults more expressive power, with safeguards in tow.
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