ChatGPT started requiring passports from users
22 November 2025 17:06
ChatGPT has started asking users to prove their identity with a passport if they suspect that the user is under 18. This is reported by a number of media outlets, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Until the verification is complete, the system restricts access to discussions on topics marked as “for adults.” In some cases, the request appears even for adult users – one of them said that verification was requested despite the fact that he was 30 years old.
OpenAI has confirmed that the feature is being implemented gradually and is currently being tested mainly in English-speaking regions. According to the company, the purpose of the innovation is to comply with age restrictions and strengthen the protection of minors from potentially undesirable content.
The company emphasizes that the processing of passport data is built with security requirements in mind: the information is transmitted in encrypted form and is used exclusively to confirm age, not to store documents in plain text.
The audience’s reaction was mixed. Some users supported the initiative as a logical step in digital security and regulatory compliance. However, another part of the community criticized the mechanism for redundancy and false positives, when adult users are mistakenly subject to restrictions.
OpenAI has clarified that the current version of verification is a test. The company is analyzing the feedback and considering alternative ways to verify age, including the use of bank cards and electronic digital identifiers.
