OpenAI pushes age-based controls for ChatGPT accounts
OpenAI is making big changes to how ChatGPT users interact with its platform. The company is now proactively adjusting user settings based on their estimated age, adding new restrictions for accounts it believes belong to teens or minors. Users flagged as under 18 are seeing extra content filters and limits on sensitive topics-think less exposure to mature or controversial discussions.
The move isn’t just a gentle nudge toward safer AI. Users are being notified via email that some ChatGPT features are now off-limits unless they verify their age. To unlock the full platform, OpenAI requires a government-issued ID-plus a real-time selfie-for identity confirmation. The process is managed through Persona, a third-party verification provider, and OpenAI claims all data is handled securely.
If you don't comply, the consequences are significant: according to OpenAI’s Help Center documentation, unverified accounts will be blocked after 90 days of being prompted for age verification. So, if the system thinks you’re under 18 and you don’t prove otherwise, your ChatGPT access goes dark after three months.
Why the sudden clampdown?
This isn’t coming out of nowhere. AI companies are under growing pressure from regulators and advocacy groups to protect minors online. OpenAI’s latest update is a clear response to these demands, aiming to demonstrate proactive compliance and minimize risk. The stakes are high: With millions of young users experimenting with generative AI, failing to filter content could open the door to legal trouble or public backlash.
For adult users flagged incorrectly, the new process may feel intrusive. Some have voiced concerns about privacy, data security, and the push to upload government IDs just to keep using a chatbot. OpenAI is betting that most users will comply, but it’s bound to spark debates about privacy, AI gatekeeping, and the trade-offs of safety-first policies.
What this means for you
- If you receive an email about adjusted settings, check your account’s listed age. If you’re over 18, be prepared to verify with ID if you want unrestricted access.
- Unverified accounts flagged as underage will lose access after 90 days. No exceptions unless you verify your age.
- Expect other AI platforms to follow suit as regulatory scrutiny ramps up. Age gating and content filters are quickly becoming the new normal for consumer AI.
If you’re concerned about privacy or don’t want to upload an ID, you’ll likely face restricted features or eventual account lockout. For more details, check OpenAI's age verification FAQ.
The bottom line: OpenAI is betting that age verification will keep regulators happy and minors safe-but it’s also putting new friction in the path of longtime users. Is this the future of AI safety, or a step too far? Time will tell.
