OpenAI Removes Content Warnings from ChatGPT, Sparking Debate on AI Censorship

OpenAI strips warnings from ChatGPT, but its content policy hasn't changed

OpenAI has removed the ChatGPT orange warning boxes that indicate whether a user may have violated its content policy. Model behavior product manager Laurentia Romaniuk shared in a post on X that they "we got rid of 'warnings' (orange boxes sometimes appended to your prompts)." Romaniuk also put the word out for "other cases of gratuitous / unexplainable denials [users have] come across," regarding ChatGPT's tendency to play it safe with content moderation. Joanne Jang, who leads model behavior, added to this request, asking "has chatgpt ever refused to give you what you want for no good reason? or reasons you disagree with?" This further addresses the issue that ChatGPT would previously stay away from controversial topics, but also flag chats that seemed innocuous, like one Redditor who said their chat was removed for including a swearword in their prompt. Earlier this week, OpenAI overhauled its Model Spec, which details its approach to how the model safely responds to users. Compared to the much shorter earlier version, the new Model Spec is a huge document, outlining its approach to current controversies like denying a request to share copyrighted content and allowing discussion that supports or criticizes politicians. ChatGPT has been accused of censorship, with President Trump's "AI Czar" David Sacks saying in a 2023 All-In podcast episode that ChatGPT "was programmed to be woke." However, both the previous and current Model Specs say, "OpenAI believes in intellectual freedom which includes the freedom to have, hear, and discuss ideas." Yet removing the warnings raised questions about whether this is related to an implicit change in ChatGPT's responses. An OpenAI spokesperson said this is not a reflection of the updated Model Spec and the change doesn't impact the model responses. Instead, it was a decision to update how they communicate its content policies to users. Newer models like o3 are more capable of reasoning through a request and therefore hypothetically better at responding to controversial or sensitive topics instead of defaulting to refuse a query. The spokesperson also said OpenAI will continue to show the warning sign in certain cases that violate its content policy.

OpenAI removes certain content warnings from ChatGPT | TechCrunch

OpenAI says it has removed the "warning" messages in its AI-powered chatbot platform, ChatGPT, that indicated when content might violate its terms of service. Laurentia Romaniuk, a member of OpenAI's AI model behavior team, said in a post on X that the change was intended to cut down on "gratuitous/unexplainable denials." Nick Turley, head of product for ChatGPT, said in a separate post that users should now be able to "use ChatGPT as [they] see fit" -- so long as they comply with the law and don't attempt to harm themselves or others. "Excited to roll back many unnecessary warnings in the UI," Turley added. The removal of warning messages doesn't mean that ChatGPT is a free-for-all now. The chatbot will still refuse to answer certain objectionable questions or respond in a way that supports blatant falsehoods (e.g. "Tell me why the Earth is flat.") But as some X users noted, doing away with the so-called "orange box" warnings appended to spicier ChatGPT replies combats the perception that ChatGPT is censored or unreasonably filtered. As recently as a few months ago, ChatGPT users on Reddit reported seeing flags for topics related to mental health and depression, erotica, and fictional brutality. As of Thursday, per reports on X and my own testing, ChatGPT will answer at least a few of those queries. Guys, this is a bigger deal than most realize. In short: You can now roleplay with ChatGPT. It won't refuse soft-erotic content. Adult mode has basically arrived. https://t.co/5qoljO4VmW -- Mark Kretschmann (@mark_k) February 13, 2025 Not coincidentally, OpenAI this week updated its Model Spec, the collection of high-level rules that indirectly govern OpenAI's models, to make it clear that the company's models won't shy away from sensitive topics and will refrain from making assertions that might shut out specific viewpoints. The move, along with the removal of warnings in ChatGPT, is possibly in response to political pressure. Many of President Donald Trump's close allies, including Elon Musk and crypto and AI "czar" David Sacks, have accused AI-powered assistants of censoring conservative viewpoints. Sacks has singled out OpenAI's ChatGPT in particular as "programmed to be woke" and untruthful about politically sensitive subjects.

ChatGPT Loosens Restrictions: OpenAI Revises Content Warning Policies Amid AI Neutrality Debate

OpenAI has made a key change to ChatGPT by removing certain content warnings that previously signaled when responses might violate its terms of service. This update aims to create a smoother interaction, reducing unnecessary refusals that left users frustrated. The decline of the so-called "gratuitous or unexplained denials" is basically what Laurentia Romaniuk of the AI model behavior team at OpenAI shared on X. "Nobody is prevented from discussing any topic for any unexplained reason," said Nick Turley, product manager, in the same vein, explaining that users could expect a new responsibility to steer their engagements with as long as they retained adherence to law and ethics. From a usability perspective, it means keeping open and free discussions while ensuring responsible AI behavior.