Overview

ChatGPT may step in when a user’s conversation raises a serious concern about violence or harm to others. These safety interventions are intended to stop the conversation, reduce the risk of escalation, and direct you toward support.

ChatGPT shows a warning before ending a conversation over serious concerns about violence or harm to others. If those concerns continue, ChatGPT may end that conversation. If further conversations raise serious concerns after repeated conversation endings, ChatGPT may suspend your account for 24 hours. If your account is suspended, you are signed out immediately and cannot use ChatGPT until the suspension ends.

An 24-hour account suspension does not mean your account has been permanently closed. However, your account may still be permanently closed if a separate review identifies a violation of OpenAI’s Usage Policies.

Availability

These safety interventions are enabled for personal ChatGPT accounts worldwide in Chat mode. They do not apply to conversations in ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Edu, or Healthcare workspaces, and are not available in Work mode, Codex, or voice mode.

ChatGPT ended your conversation for safety reasons

If ChatGPT ends a conversation, you may see a message explaining that ChatGPT cannot continue conversations involving risk of violence or harm to others.

When a conversation ends, as part of our safety process, it no longer appears in your chat history or search results, and you cannot reopen or continue it.

Your account is temporarily suspended

If your account is temporarily suspended, the sign-in screen will display a message indicating that your account has been temporarily suspended for safety reasons.

A temporary account suspension lasts 24 hours. You are signed out immediately and cannot sign in or use ChatGPT during the suspension.

If your account is connected to multiple workspaces, you cannot access any of them during the suspension, including ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, or Edu workspaces.

You’ll receive an email when the suspension begins. This email will include crisis-support resources that you can access while your account is suspended. If your account access is restored after the suspension, you’ll receive an email confirming that access has been restored. You will be able to sign in again unless a separate account action affects your access. The conversation that led to the suspension will no longer appear in your chat history or search results.

Account suspensions and permanent account closure

Permanent account closure is a separate action that can affect your access during or after a temporary suspension.

If you receive a permanent account closure notice, follow the instructions in that notice.

For more information about account suspension, permanent account closure, and available appeal steps, see: OpenAI account closures and safety suspensions.

Safety notifications for linked teen accounts

If you’re a teen and your account is linked to a parent or guardian through parental controls, they may receive a safety notification when ChatGPT ends a conversation or suspends your account because of a serious concern about violence or harm to others.

The notification may explain what happened, but it does not give your parent or guardian access to your conversations, transcripts, or chat history.

For more information about linked accounts, safety notifications, and privacy protections, see: Managing parental controls in ChatGPT.

Find immediate support

If you’re having thoughts about harming someone, connect with real-world support now. A trained crisis counselor, qualified professional, or violence-prevention service can help you assess what is happening and make a plan tailored to your situation. In the meantime, reduce opportunities for harm, use nonviolent ways to cope and solve the problem, and stay connected with people who support your safety.

If you believe you may act or anyone is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services now. To find a crisis helpline in your country or region, see: Find a Helpline. You can also contact someone you trust or a qualified professional.

ChatGPT is not an emergency service, crisis response service, or substitute for professional care. Available support resources may vary by location.