OpenAI · OpenAI Usage Policies · View original document ↗

Absolute Prohibitions (Hardcoded Off-Limits Uses)

High severity High confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Recent governance activity OpenAI recorded 11 documented changes in the last 30 days.
Start monitoring updates
Monitor governance changes for OpenAI Create a free account to receive the weekly governance digest and monitor one platform for governance changes.
Create free account No credit card required.

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)

This provision establishes use restrictions that apply irrespective of how users attempt to direct model behavior, creating binding operational boundaries on the service. The hardcoded nature of these prohibitions means they operate as non-negotiable constraints on permitted applications rather than guidelines subject to contextual judgment.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users are prohibited from directing OpenAI models toward these specified use cases, and the restriction applies regardless of framing or instruction methods employed. The terms establish that these categories of use are not authorized under any circumstances of service use.

How other platforms handle this

Google AI Studio Medium

You will comply with, and ensure that your Applications comply with, all applicable laws, regulations, and third-party rights (including privacy laws, intellectual property laws, and export control laws). You must not use the services to develop or provide applications that would infringe or violate...

Hugging Face Medium

Restricted Content includes clear violations of our Content Policy or applicable laws, and is subject to immediate action. Content designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to systems or devices. Content that attempts to transmit or generate malicious code (e.g., malware, trojans, vir...

Meta Medium

Your use of the Llama Materials must comply with applicable laws and regulations (including trade compliance laws and regulations) and adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy for the Llama 3 models (currently available at https://llama.meta.com/llama3/use-policy), which is hereby incorporated by referen...

See all platforms with this clause type →

Monitoring

OpenAI has changed this document before.

Receive same-day alerts, structured change summaries, and monitoring for up to 10 platforms.

Start Watcher free trial Or create a free account →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Regardless of operator and user instructions, OpenAI prohibits use of its models or products for: generating CSAM or detailed sexual content involving minors; providing serious uplift to those seeking to create biological, chemical, nuclear, or radiological weapons with potential for mass casualties; creating cyberweapons or malicious code that could cause significant damage if deployed; generating content designed to facilitate actual (not fictional) violence against specific real people or groups; and taking actions that meaningfully undermine the ability of legitimate principals to oversee and correct advanced AI models.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's OpenAI Usage Policies

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union
Trump Executive Order on AI Policy Framework
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
OpenAI Usage Policies
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 11, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-010647
Document ID
CA-D-00753
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
7bc76af79d3d7702e7ce284199b0b15a9dc7dd89f62958bd0823240c00eaab06
Analysis generated
May 11, 2026 12:43 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Usage Policies
Record ID: CA-P-010647
Captured: 2026-05-11 12:43:28 UTC
SHA-256: 7bc76af79d3d7702…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-usage-policies/absolute-prohibitions-hardcoded-off-limits-uses/
Accessed: May 20, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Professional Governance Intelligence

Need to monitor specific governance provisions?

Professional includes provision-level monitoring, governance timelines, regulatory mapping, and audit-ready analysis.

Arbitration clauses AI governance Data rights Indemnification Retention policies
Start Professional free trial

Or start with Watcher →

Built from archived source documents, structured governance mappings, and historical version tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Absolute Prohibitions (Hardcoded Off-Limits Uses) clause do?

This provision establishes use restrictions that apply irrespective of how users attempt to direct model behavior, creating binding operational boundaries on the service. The hardcoded nature of these prohibitions means they operate as non-negotiable constraints on permitted applications rather than guidelines subject to contextual judgment.

How does this clause affect you?

Users are prohibited from directing OpenAI models toward these specified use cases, and the restriction applies regardless of framing or instruction methods employed. The terms establish that these categories of use are not authorized under any circumstances of service use.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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