OpenAI delays launch of Adult Mode in ChatGPT again

OpenAI has once again postponed the launch of Adult Mode, a special feature intended for adult users of ChatGPT that would allow access to erotic text and certain other types of mature content. The delay was reported by TechCrunch, citing internal sources and statements from the company.

A long path from announcement to reality

The concept of Adult Mode was first mentioned publicly by Sam Altman in October 2025. At the time, the OpenAI CEO said that once a reliable age-verification system was implemented, adult users would be allowed to interact with certain categories of content, including erotic material.

The feature was initially expected to launch in December 2025, but the timeline quickly slipped.

According to media reports, Altman later sent an internal message marked “code red,” urging teams to focus on improving the core user experience of ChatGPT. As a result, work on the adult mode was deprioritized in favor of broader platform improvements.

OpenAI has now officially confirmed that the feature is being postponed again. The company says its current priority is enhancing the model’s overall intelligence, improving its behavior, and introducing proactive capabilities that benefit a much larger audience.

Representatives of OpenAI emphasized that the company still believes adults should be treated as adults online, but implementing such a system responsibly requires more development time.

What Adult Mode was supposed to include

The feature was designed as an optional setting, activated only after strict age verification — likely involving identity documents or biometric checks.

Within this mode, the system was expected to allow:

• generation of erotic text
• more explicit role-playing scenarios
• discussion of topics that are filtered or restricted in the standard version

The base version of ChatGPT would remain unchanged, continuing to operate with stricter content moderation.

Why the delays keep happening

OpenAI is currently facing strong pressure from both users and regulators. Users want improvements in accuracy, response quality, speed, and reduced hallucinations, while regulators and platforms are paying closer attention to AI-generated content.

Adult Mode could be one of the most controversial features the company has considered. On one hand, it could attract new audiences and increase subscription revenue. On the other, it carries risks including reputation damage, legal challenges, and stricter policies from major distribution platforms such as Apple’s App Store and **Google’s Google Play.

What comes next

No new launch date has been announced. For now, OpenAI says it will focus on improving the core capabilities of ChatGPT and expanding features that benefit the majority of users.

Adult Mode remains on the company’s roadmap, but it is clearly not an immediate priority.

In brief

OpenAI has postponed the launch of Adult Mode in ChatGPT, a feature that would allow adult users to access erotic text and other mature content after age verification. The idea was first announced by Sam Altman in October 2025 and originally planned for release in December. The company now says it is prioritizing improvements to the model’s intelligence, reliability, and overall user experience. The feature remains planned but no new release timeline has been provided.