OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has confirmed that verified adult users will soon be able to access erotica and other mature material through ChatGPT, a move that has ignited a global debate over the balance between free expression and digital safety.

The change, expected in December, forms part of what Altman described as the company’s effort to: “treat adults like adults” rather than act as: “the elected moral police of the world.”

Altman said OpenAI had initially restricted sexual content to avoid exacerbating mental health risks but would now ease those limits: “after mitigating serious issues and adding new tools.” The company has rolled out parental controls and an age-prediction system to protect users under 18, with access to adult content restricted to verified adults.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups and regulators worried about synthetic intimacy and the exposure of minors to explicit material. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation warned of: “real mental health harms from synthetic intimacy,” while child-safety advocates in the United States and the United Kingdom questioned whether OpenAI can effectively enforce age verification under differing legal standards.

Altman acknowledged the backlash: “blew up” more than expected but said the firm would stand by its approach. Analysts note the policy shift comes as OpenAI faces intensifying competition and scrutiny, with the company seeking to retain subscribers and drive profitability amid mounting regulatory pressure.