Provision record
OpenAI · OpenAI Usage Policies · View original document ↗

Prohibition on Political Campaigning and Election Interference

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Document Record

What it is

The policy prohibits using OpenAI services for political campaigning, lobbying, foreign or domestic election interference, or demobilization activities.

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 a prohibition on use of OpenAI services for election-related influence operations, including domestic political campaigning and demobilization, which is operationally significant for political organizations, PACs, and campaign technology vendors evaluating use of AI tools during election cycles.

Interpretive note: The terms 'political campaigning,' 'lobbying,' and 'demobilization activities' are not defined in the policy, creating interpretive uncertainty about the scope of this prohibition for advocacy, public affairs, and civic technology use cases.

Clause Stability Stable

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

Change history

modified Jul 26, 2026

Narrowed from broad election influence prohibition to specific restrictions on campaigning and lobbying activities, removing the 'unduly influence' language and scale considerations.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

This provision establishes that OpenAI services may not be used for political campaigning, lobbying, election interference, or activities intended to demobilize voters, applying to both domestic and foreign actors.

Cross-platform context

See how other platforms handle Prohibition on Political Campaigning and Election Interference and similar clauses.

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Empower people. People should be able to make decisions about their lives and their communities. So we don't allow our services to be used to manipulate or deceive people, to interfere with their exercise of human rights, to exploit people's vulnerabilities, or to interfere with their ability to get an education or access critical services, including any use for: academic dishonesty deceit, fraud, scams, spam, or impersonation political campaigning, lobbying, foreign or domestic election interference, or demobilization activities

Excerpt from OpenAI's Usage Policies

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages Federal Election Commission regulations governing campaign communications and political advertising, as well as the Foreign Agents Registration Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act in contexts involving foreign …

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

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 Usage Policies
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
May 11, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
July 9, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-013639
Document ID
CA-D-00753
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
09529215ae44ea4abd46d64b19542e8a3e4d0a72160cf4fdcea0a0032657312b
Analysis generated
July 9, 2026 03:38 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: OpenAI Usage Policies
Record ID: CA-P-013639
Captured: 2026-07-09 03:38:22 UTC
SHA-256: 09529215ae44ea4a…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/openai-usage-policies/provision/CA-P-013639/prohibition-on-political-campaigning-and-election-interference/
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 Prohibition on Political Campaigning and Election Interference clause do?

This provision establishes a prohibition on use of OpenAI services for election-related influence operations, including domestic political campaigning and demobilization, which is operationally significant for political organizations, PACs, and campaign technology vendors evaluating use of AI tools during election cycles.

How does this clause affect you?

This provision establishes that OpenAI services may not be used for political campaigning, lobbying, election interference, or activities intended to demobilize voters, applying to both domestic and foreign actors.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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