OpenAI · Usage Policies

Impersonation and Deceptive AI Identity Restrictions

High severity
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Watch OpenAI Get alerts when this provision or policy changes.
Watch — $9.99/mo

Why it matters (compliance & risk perspective)

AI-generated impersonation and disinformation are among the most significant consumer harms emerging from generative AI — this provision directly addresses the risk that the technology will be weaponized for fraud, harassment, or political manipulation.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

OpenAI's Usage Policy directly affects what you can ask ChatGPT or other OpenAI tools to do, and violations — even unintentional ones — can result in account suspension or termination without a guaranteed restoration process. The policy also makes developers and businesses that build on OpenAI's API responsible for ensuring their own users comply, meaning the apps you use powered by OpenAI may impose additional restrictions beyond OpenAI's own defaults. You can submit an appeal if OpenAI takes action against your account by visiting https://openai.com/transparency-and-content-moderation/#:~:text=determining%20enforcement%20actions.-,Appeals%20process.

How other platforms handle this

Poshmark Medium

You may not use the Service if you are under the age of 13. If you are at least 13 but under the age of 18, you may only use the Service with permission of your parent or guardian as described in our Minors Policy (which is incorporated by reference into this Agreement).

Nintendo Medium

Nintendo grants you a limited, non-sublicensable license to access and use the Services for your personal use only. Such license is subject to these Terms and does not include: (a) any resale or commercial use of the Services or the Materials therein; (b) the distribution, public performance or publ...

Shopify Medium

We also don't tolerate anyone defrauding Shopify, other merchants, or buyers, using Shopify as a platform to send spam, or for other malicious practices.

See all platforms with this clause type →

This clause could change without notice.

Get alerted when OpenAI updates this policy — with plain-language summaries and severity ratings.

Watch OpenAI Need compliance memos? Professional →
View original clause language
We don't want our models to be used to create false impressions of yourself or others, including by creating fake social media profiles, misinformation, or other deceptive content. We don't want our models to be used to inappropriately impersonate another person or system.

Applicable regulations

CFAA
United States Federal
DMCA
United States Federal
DSA
European Union

Provision details

Document information
Document
Usage Policies
Entity
OpenAI
Document last updated
March 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 10, 2026
Last verified
April 27, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-002433
Document ID
CA-D-00005
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
d69a24617758e5b44e4be8eedeceb598a26dc4e280f2ab1469a45b64203e7403
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: OpenAI | Document: Usage Policies | Record: CA-P-002433
Captured: 2026-03-10 03:28:59 UTC | SHA-256: d69a24617758e5b4…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/openai/usage-policies/impersonation-and-deceptive-ai-identity-restrictions/
Accessed: May 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Don't miss changes to this clause.

OpenAI has updated this policy before. Get alerted on the next change.

Watch OpenAI

Frequently Asked Questions

What does OpenAI's Impersonation and Deceptive AI Identity Restrictions clause do?

AI-generated impersonation and disinformation are among the most significant consumer harms emerging from generative AI — this provision directly addresses the risk that the technology will be weaponized for fraud, harassment, or political manipulation.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with OpenAI?

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