The policy prohibits using OpenAI services to create cyberweapons, malicious code, or tools designed to cause significant damage to computer systems, networks, or data.
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 prohibition applies to all users and API operators, and covers both direct creation of malicious software and providing technical assistance that enables cyberattacks causing significant harm.
Interpretive note: Verbatim text could not be extracted from the binary PDF. The provision is inferred from document metadata and publicly available OpenAI Usage Policy language consistent with this document version.
Users who attempt to use OpenAI tools to develop ransomware, exploits, or other cyberweapons are in violation of this policy and subject to account termination, regardless of stated purpose.
How other platforms handle this
You may not use Vercel's services to distribute malware, viruses, ransomware, or other malicious or destructive code, or to facilitate attacks on other systems or networks, including distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.
Users may not use ElevenLabs' platform to generate voice content for the purpose of committing fraud, including financial fraud, identity theft, or unauthorized impersonation for financial gain.
You may not use the Services to generate content that violates applicable laws or regulations, including content that is defamatory, obscene, fraudulent, or that infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party.
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1. REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision intersects with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), and equivalent EU legislation under the Directive on Attacks Against Information Systems. The FBI Cyber Division and CISA are relevant enforcement authorities in the US context. The EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) and national cybersecurity authorities are relevant in EU jurisdictions. 2. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High for cybersecurity firms, penetration testing companies, and security researchers who may operate in edge cases near this boundary. The policy's scope regarding legitimate security research purposes is not fully defined in the available document text, creating interpretive ambiguity for defensive security use cases. 3. JURISDICTION FLAGS: Heightened exposure in the EU under the NIS2 Directive, which places obligations on operators of essential services. US federal contractors have additional obligations under NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The scope of legitimate security research exceptions may vary by jurisdiction. 4. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Cybersecurity companies and penetration testing firms using the OpenAI API should obtain written clarification on the scope of permissible security research use cases. API terms of service for security tooling customers may require additional contractual representations. 5. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: Operators in the cybersecurity sector should implement monitoring to detect and block requests for malicious code generation. Compliance programs should address the boundary between permissible security research assistance and prohibited cyberweapon development, particularly in the context of red-teaming and vulnerability research.
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This prohibition applies to all users and API operators, and covers both direct creation of malicious software and providing technical assistance that enables cyberattacks causing significant harm.
Users who attempt to use OpenAI tools to develop ransomware, exploits, or other cyberweapons are in violation of this policy and subject to account termination, regardless of stated purpose.
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