OpenAI Delays ChatGPT Adult Mode to Focus on Core Features

SAN FRANCISCO: OpenAI is pushing back the launch of “adult mode” for ChatGPT for the second time. The feature would give verified adult users access to erotica and other explicit content inside the chatbot.

CEO Sam Altman first announced the feature in October 2025. He promised it would roll out in December alongside broader age-gating systems. That deadline slipped after Altman reportedly sent an internal “code red” memo. He called on teams to refocus on the core ChatGPT experience instead.

The company now confirms a second delay. An OpenAI spokesperson tells Axios the company is stepping back to “focus on work that is a higher priority for more users right now.” That work includes improvements to intelligence, personality, and making ChatGPT more proactive in conversations.

“We still believe in the principle of treating adults like adults, but getting the experience right will take more time,” the spokesperson said.

No new launch timeline has been given. The delay signals that OpenAI is prioritizing broad user experience gains over niche feature rollouts. It also reflects pressure the company faces from rivals including Google Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude, as tech companies explore new ways to personalize AI interactions – such as Amazon’s move to add an adults-only Sassy personality to Alexa.

Adult mode was positioned as part of OpenAI’s push to reduce paternalistic content restrictions. The company has faced criticism from users who say ChatGPT is overly cautious. It remains unclear when the feature will return to the roadmap.