Provision record
OpenAI · OpenAI EU Terms of Use · View original document ↗

Prohibited Uses and Acceptable Use Restrictions

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Document Record

What it is

The agreement prohibits a defined list of uses including rights infringement, reverse engineering (with a statutory law exception), automated data extraction, misrepresenting Output as human-generated, service disruption, and using Output to develop competing AI models.

This analysis describes what OpenAI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The prohibition on using Output to develop competing models is operationally significant for developers and researchers, as it limits downstream use of AI-generated content beyond personal and non-commercial contexts. The reverse engineering restriction includes a carve-out for uses permitted by applicable law, which varies by jurisdiction.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
Jul 9, 2026
First Seen
Jul 9, 2026
Last Seen

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Under these terms, users are prohibited from automated data extraction, misrepresenting AI-generated Output as human-generated, reverse engineering the service (subject to applicable law exceptions), and using Output to develop AI models that compete with OpenAI. Violations may result in account suspension or termination as provided elsewhere in the terms.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Prohibited Uses and Acceptable Use Restrictions and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
What you cannot do. You may not use our Services for any illegal, harmful, or abusive activity. For example, you are prohibited from: Using our Services in a way that infringes, misappropriates or violates anyone's rights. Misusing our reporting or appeals processes, including providing manifestly unfounded submissions. Modifying, copying, leasing, selling or distributing any of our Services. Attempting to or assisting anyone to reverse engineer, decompile or discover the source code or underlying components of our Services, including our models, algorithms, or systems (except to the extent this restriction is prohibited by applicable law). Automatically or programmatically extracting data or Output (defined below). Representing that Output was human-generated when it was not. Interfering with or disrupting our Services, including circumventing any rate limits or restrictions or bypassing any protective measures or safety mitigations we put on our Services. Using Output to develop models that compete with OpenAI.

Excerpt from OpenAI's EU Terms of Use

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

1.

Insight

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Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI EU Terms of Use
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013868
Document ID
CA-D-00756
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
86ae292930d3782298e0436c053164660e09a9df37ec6ce35eccab5f9a771aa6
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 04:09 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI EU Terms of Use
Record ID: CA-P-013868
Captured: 2026-07-09 04:09:20 UTC
SHA-256: 86ae292930d37822…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-eu-terms-of-use/provision/CA-P-013868/prohibited-uses-and-acceptable-use-restrictions/
Accessed: Sept. 8, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Prohibited Uses and Acceptable Use Restrictions clause do?

The prohibition on using Output to develop competing models is operationally significant for developers and researchers, as it limits downstream use of AI-generated content beyond personal and non-commercial contexts. The reverse engineering restriction includes a carve-out for uses permitted by applicable law, which varies by jurisdiction.

How does this clause affect you?

Under these terms, users are prohibited from automated data extraction, misrepresenting AI-generated Output as human-generated, reverse engineering the service (subject to applicable law exceptions), and using Output to develop AI models that compete with OpenAI. Violations may result in account suspension or termination as provided elsewhere in the terms.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenAI.