Overview
OpenAI may issue warnings or restrict account access to help keep its services safe and uphold its Usage Policies and Terms of Use.
If you’ve received a warning or your account access has been restricted, check any notification you received from OpenAI for the reason and next steps. If you believe a warning, suspension, or closure was a mistake, you can request a review.
Account warnings
An account warning lets you know that activity associated with your account may conflict with OpenAI’s Usage Policies or Terms of Use.
A warning does not, by itself, mean your account has been suspended or closed. If your notice also describes a restriction, follow the instructions for that restriction.
Continued violations after a warning may lead to further restrictions or permanent account closure.
Reasons for an account warning
Warnings may relate to:
Content that violates OpenAI’s Usage Policies, such as harmful content, sexual content involving minors, or harassment.
Attempts to bypass safety filters, content restrictions, or other safeguards.
Misuse of the API or platform, such as spam, phishing, misuse of API keys, or abnormal usage that raises compliance concerns.
Respond to an account warning
Review OpenAI’s Usage Policies and Terms of Use, along with any policies identified in your notification.
Adjust your usage to address the concern, and follow any instructions or deadlines in the notice.
If you build with the OpenAI API, consider using the Moderation endpoint to identify content that may violate applicable policies.
Request a review of an account warning
If you believe an account warning was issued in error, use the appeal link in your warning notification email. If you cannot access that email, submit a request through the appeal intake form.
If you lost access to your account but did not receive an email notification, contact OpenAI Support through the Help Center.
Include the details listed below under Information to include with a warning or closure appeal.
Temporary safety suspensions
A temporary safety suspension limits access for a period of time. It does not, by itself, mean your account was permanently closed. Follow the instructions in your suspension notification.
For guidance on conversation endings and suspensions related to violence, see: Why ChatGPT ended your conversation or temporarily suspended your account over concerns about violence.
For guidance on child safety warnings and suspensions, see: Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) warnings and account suspensions in ChatGPT.
Appeal a temporary suspension
To appeal a temporary suspension, use the appeal link in your suspension notification email. If you received separate notifications about a suspension and another account action, use the link for the decision you want reviewed.
Account closures
OpenAI may permanently close an account for policy violations or repeated misuse. The reason and available next steps are contained in the notice you received.
Policy or Terms of Use violations
An account may be closed for activity that violates OpenAI’s Usage Policies or Terms of Use. Examples include child exploitation or abuse, facilitating violence, harassment, fraud, or other prohibited content or activity.
Circumventing security controls, sharing accounts or API keys in ways that violate the terms, or disrupting OpenAI services may also lead to account closure.
Discussing a sensitive topic does not, by itself, mean your account will be permanently closed. Account actions depend on the circumstances and applicable policies.
Repeated violations after a warning
For some policy violations, OpenAI may send a warning and give you an opportunity to correct the issue. Your account may be permanently closed if the issue continues or is not resolved within the time stated in the warning.
Request a review of a permanent account closure
If you believe your account was permanently closed by mistake, use the appeal link in your account-closure notification email.
If you cannot access that email, submit a request through the account closure appeal form.
If you lost access to your account but did not receive an account-closure email, contact OpenAI Support through the Help Center.
Requesting a review does not guarantee that your account will be restored.
Include the details listed below under Information to include with a warning or closure appeal.
Security and verification restrictions
Security concerns or unauthorized access
OpenAI may restrict account access if activity suggests that someone else accessed your account. This type of security restriction is different from temporary safety suspensions.
If you suspect unauthorized access, change your password and rotate any exposed API keys. For the steps, see: Unrecognized activity on your OpenAI account and Best practices for API key safety.
Contact OpenAI Support if you cannot access your account or need help reporting unauthorized activity.
Incomplete identity or age verification
Some accounts require identity or age verification. If you do not complete a required verification, your account may be deactivated or disabled until the requirement is met. Follow the instructions and any deadline shown in ChatGPT.
If you missed an age-verification deadline, see: Recovering an account after a missed age-verification deadline. If you have already submitted your ID, see: What happens after you submit your ID for age verification.
Being placed in the ChatGPT for Teens experience does not by itself deactivate your account. For more information, see: Age prediction in ChatGPT.
If you cannot find your verification email, contact OpenAI Support to request that it be sent again.
Other account help
For account support during a temporary suspension, email support@openai.com. This includes refund or cancellation questions. To appeal the suspension, use the appeal link in your suspension email.
Information to include with a warning or closure appeal
For a warning or permanent account closure appeal, include the details that apply to your situation:
Your user ID and organization ID, if available.
Relevant information about your account activity and why you believe the warning or permanent closure was a mistake.
The date range of any suspected unauthorized access.
Steps you have taken to secure your account or resolve the issue.
If you see charges you do not recognize, also include:
The date of each charge.
The amount of each charge.
The last 4 digits of the payment card.
The card brand.
The name of the issuing bank.
The billing postal code or ZIP code.
Do not include your complete payment card number or security code.