OpenAI to Ease ChatGPT Restrictions and Introduce Adult Content Controls
- Rob Martinez
- Oct 15
- 4 min read
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by Rob Martinez | Monday, Oct 15, 2025 for The Weekend Read. | 💬 with us about this article and more at the purple chat below-right, our Concierge powered by Bizly.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced upcoming changes to ChatGPT aimed at relaxing content restrictions, expanding user customization, and introducing verified adult access to mature material. The update was shared in a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this week.
OpenAI's ChatGPT is set to relax content restrictions, expand user customization, and introduce verified adult access to mature material.
Initial strict limitations (especially around mental health) are being relaxed due to new detection tools that mitigate potential crises.
A new version will allow users to define ChatGPT's personality and tone, and age-gating will expand in December for adult content like erotica.
Initial Restrictions and Mental Health Safeguards
Altman stated that ChatGPT was originally designed with strict limitations to reduce risks around mental health–related interactions. The company prioritized caution to prevent harm in sensitive conversations. According to Altman, this made the chatbot “less useful” for users without mental health concerns but necessary to ensure responsible handling of those at risk.
Responding to online and media backlash to the initial announcement, Altman released the following statement:
"Ok this tweet about upcoming changes to ChatGPT blew up on the erotica point much more than I thought it was going to!
It was meant to be just one example of us allowing more user freedom for adults. Here is an effort to better communicate it:
As we have said earlier, we are making a decision to prioritize safety over privacy and freedom for teenagers. And we are not loosening any policies related to mental health. This is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection.
We also care very much about the principle of treating adult users like adults. As Al becomes more important in people's lives, allowing a lot of freedom for people to use Al in the ways that they want is an important part of our mission.
It doesn't apply across the board of course: for example, we will still not allow things that cause harm to others, and we will treat users who are having mental health crises very different from users who are not. Without being paternalistic we will attempt to help users achieve their long-term goals.
But we are not the elected moral police of the world. In the same way that society differentiates other appropriate boundaries (R-rated movies, for example) we want to do a similar thing here." - Sam Altman, 10/15/2025
He noted that OpenAI has since developed new tools to better detect and mitigate potential crises. These systems reportedly allow the company to “safely relax restrictions in most cases,” marking a shift toward broader usability.
Personalization and Tone Adjustments
OpenAI plans to release a new version of ChatGPT that enables users to define its personality and tone. The update will allow for more expressive or conversational responses, such as the use of emojis or casual phrasing, when users choose.
Altman emphasized that these personality features will be optional. The company aims to give users more flexibility without defaulting to a more emotional or “human-like” chatbot experience.
Adult Content and Age-Gating
Beginning in December, OpenAI intends to expand its age-verification systems and apply what Altman described as a “treat adult users like adults” policy. Under the new framework, verified adults will gain access to previously restricted forms of content, including erotica.
"If we are not confident about someone’s age or have incomplete information, we’ll take the safer route and default to the under-18 experience—and give adults ways to prove their age to unlock adult capabilities." - OpenAI
The company says this change will coincide with more robust age-gating to prevent minors from accessing adult material. OpenAI has not yet disclosed the specific verification process or the scope of permitted content.
Broader Implications
The announcement signals one of the company’s largest policy shifts since ChatGPT’s public release. It reflects OpenAI’s efforts to balance safety concerns with user autonomy, particularly in areas of mental health, personalization, and mature content.
Industry observers note that the move comes amid growing competition among AI platforms experimenting with personality-driven chatbots and adult-oriented features. OpenAI’s rollout is expected to take place in stages over the coming weeks.
TWR. Last Word: The decision to normalize adult content under OpenAI’s brand may test whether advertisers, policymakers, and parents still see “safe AI” as compatible with “free AI.”
Rob is a partner at iA and co-founder of Dream LAB specializing in digital asset management, scalable solutions, and revenue optimization across diverse business verticals covering the emerging trends in media-tech and monetization.
This piece reflects the collective expertise and editorial voice of The Weekend Read —🗣️Read or Get Rewritten | www.TheWeekendRead.com
Sources
Altman, S. (2025, October 14). OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announces upcoming ChatGPT updates [Post]. X (formerly Twitter). https://twitter.com/sama
The Independent. (2025, October 15). Sam Altman announces major ChatGPT changes, including new personality options and adult content plans. https://www.independent.co.uk
Investing.com. (2025, October 15). OpenAI to introduce personalization and adult content gating in ChatGPT update. https://www.investing.com
Economic Times. (2025, October 15). Sam Altman says ChatGPT restrictions to ease after new safeguards developed. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
OpenAI. (2025, October 15). Well-being and AI: How we’re updating our safety policies. https://openai.com/blog
TechCrunch. (2025, October 15). OpenAI details new ChatGPT update, expands personality features, and introduces adult verification system. https://techcrunch.com
The Verge. (2025, October 15). OpenAI loosens ChatGPT restrictions, plans adult-verified features. https://www.theverge.com
iPhone in Canada. (2025, October 15). ChatGPT to introduce emoji personality modes and verified adult content access in December update. https://www.iphoneincanada.ca
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