OpenAI · Usage Policies · View original document ↗

Hardcoded Absolute Prohibitions

High severity 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)

The provision operationalizes OpenAI's authority to embed non-negotiable control parameters in model behavior independent of user direction. This establishes the institutional mechanism through which certain outputs or actions are systemically prevented regardless of how users structure requests.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users operate under terms that authorize OpenAI to define and enforce predetermined behavioral boundaries in model responses. Users' ability to direct model output is limited by these embedded constraints, which OpenAI applies based on its assessment of potential harms.

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
"
Hardcoded behaviors are things OpenAI's models should always or never do regardless of operator and user instructions. They are actions or abstentions whose potential harms to the world or to trust in OpenAI or our models are so severe that we think no business or personal justification could outweigh the cost of engaging in them.

— Excerpt from OpenAI's 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
Usage Policies
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000037
Document ID
CA-D-00005
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
d69a24617758e5b44e4be8eedeceb598a26dc4e280f2ab1469a45b64203e7403
Analysis generated
March 10, 2026 03:28 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: OpenAI
Document: Usage Policies
Record ID: CA-P-000037
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:28:59 UTC
SHA-256: d69a24617758e5b4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/usage-policies/hardcoded-absolute-prohibitions/
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 Hardcoded Absolute Prohibitions clause do?

The provision operationalizes OpenAI's authority to embed non-negotiable control parameters in model behavior independent of user direction. This establishes the institutional mechanism through which certain outputs or actions are systemically prevented regardless of how users structure requests.

How does this clause affect you?

Users operate under terms that authorize OpenAI to define and enforce predetermined behavioral boundaries in model responses. Users' ability to direct model output is limited by these embedded constraints, which OpenAI applies based on its assessment of potential harms.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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