The Habr portal reports that ChatGPT has begun the procedure of requesting identification documents from users, specifically passports, in situations where there is suspicion that the user is under 18 years old. Until the verification is completed, the system blocks access to discussions marked as “adult content.” The request for verification can occur even for individuals who have reached the age of majority; for example, one user reported being asked to confirm their age despite being 30 years old. OpenAI itself confirmed the implementation of this feature. It is noted that it is being rolled out in stages and is currently primarily being tested in English-speaking jurisdictions. According to the developer, the main goal of this innovation is to ensure compliance with age restrictions and enhance the protection of minors from materials that may be inappropriate for them. Company representatives emphasize that the protocols for handling passport data comply with strict security standards: information is encrypted during transmission and is used solely to confirm the fact of reaching the required age, not for long-term storage of the documents themselves in an unprotected format. The response among users has been mixed. One segment of people approved of this measure, seeing it as a logical step forward in ensuring online safety and complying with regulatory requirements. At the same time, another group of critics found the mechanism excessive, pointing to frequent errors where restrictions mistakenly affect adult users. OpenAI clarified that the current verification method is experimental. The company is actively studying the feedback received and is developing alternative age identification methods, including options using bank cards and various electronic identity documents.
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