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Sam Altman hits back after criticism over ChatGPT’s ‘adult model’ plan: ‘We are not the elected moral police’

Sam Altman tweeted about restricting ChatGPT regulations for teenagers but loosening them for some adults.

Published on: Oct 16, 2025, 04:36:04 IST
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Sam Altman has broken silence after receiving criticism, backlash, and ridicule over ChatGPT's ‘adult model’ plan. In a tweet, he shared about the company’s plan to tighten the rules of AI chatbots for teenagers but loosen them for some adults. He also shared more details about the upcoming changes to ChatGPT.

Sam Altman’s announcement about ChatGPT’s ‘adult model’ plan created a chatter among people. (REUTERS)
Sam Altman’s announcement about ChatGPT’s ‘adult model’ plan created a chatter among people. (REUTERS)

“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,” Altman wrote.

Also Read: Sam Altman ‘steals’ Studio Ghibli art in Sora 2 AI clip. Internet divided

The OpenAI head revealed plans about prioritising “safety over privacy and freedom for teenagers,” adding that the company is not planning to change its strict policies regarding mental health. “This is a new and powerful technology, and we believe minors need significant protection.”

While addressing the “erotica” point from his earlier tweet, he said that the company cares “about the principle of treating adult users like adults.”

However, he clarified that these changes won’t “apply across the board” and the company will “treat users who are having mental health crises very differently from users who are not.”

Also Read: AI will replace up to 40% of tasks, not humans, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says

He concluded by tweeting, “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.”

What did Sam Altman say about the “adult mode”?

In a previous post, he shared about changing regulations which made ChatGPT “less useful/enjoyable to many users.” In his tweet he also mentioned, “In December, as we roll out age-gating more fully and as part of our ‘treat adult users like adults’ principle, we will allow even more, like erotica for verified adults.”

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More