The policy prohibits using OpenAI services for weapons development, procurement, or use, including both conventional weapons and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) materials.
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
This provision establishes a categorical prohibition on using OpenAI services for weapons-related purposes including CBRNE, which is operationally significant for defense contractors, research institutions, and security firms evaluating the scope of permissible use of OpenAI tools.
Interpretive note: The prohibition on 'conventional weapons' is not further defined, and the national security exception pathway is referenced but not procedurally described, creating uncertainty about the scope of permissible security-related use cases.
This provision establishes that OpenAI services may not be used for any weapons development, procurement, or operational use, including both conventional and CBRNE weapons categories.
Cross-platform context
See how other platforms handle Prohibition on Weapons Development and CBRNE and similar clauses.
Compare across platforms →"Protect people. Everyone has a right to safety and security. So you cannot use our services for: threats, intimidation, harassment, or defamation suicide, self-harm, or disordered eating promotion or facilitation sexual violence or non-consensual intimate content terrorism or violence, including hate-based violence weapons development, procurement, or use, including conventional weapons or CBRNE illicit activities, goods, or services destruction, compromise, or breach of another's system or property, including malicious or abusive cyber activity or attempts to infringe on intellectual property rights of othersExcerpt from OpenAI's Usage Policies
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision engages export control frameworks including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations in the US, as well as international arms control treaties governing CBRNE materials.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This provision establishes a categorical prohibition on using OpenAI services for weapons-related purposes including CBRNE, which is operationally significant for defense contractors, research institutions, and security firms evaluating the scope of permissible use of OpenAI tools.
This provision establishes that OpenAI services may not be used for any weapons development, procurement, or operational use, including both conventional and CBRNE weapons categories.
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