OpenAI's Dec 2024 Update: What You Need to Know
OpenAI is adding adult-only features with age checks and rolling out more updates. Here’s the December timeline, rules, and next steps.
Quick Take
- OpenAI will allow mature content for age-verified adults starting in December (rollout). Sam Altman called it a "treat adult users like adults" change. See coverage from Decrypt and Reuters.
- A new well-being effort is forming to advise on sensitive topics. See reporting and analysis.
- Other December headlines: a $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan and a Sora text-to-video launch window were reported by AutoGPT. There were also holiday outages (Mashable).
- Model rumors (Orion, o3) circulated late December—treat as unconfirmed. See Bobsguide and Simon Willison. For official timelines, check OpenAI release notes.
December 2024 Timeline (at a glance)
| Feature | Date | Who it helps | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature content for verified adults | December (rolling) | Adults seeking NSFW features with clear rules | Decrypt, Reuters |
| ChatGPT Pro plan ($200) | Dec 5, 2024 | Power users who need higher limits | AutoGPT |
| Sora text-to-video window | Dec 9, 2024 | Creators exploring 20s 1080p video | AutoGPT |
| Service outage (post-Christmas) | Dec 26, 2024 | All users (awareness) | Mashable |
| Community outage chatter | Dec 11, 2024 | All users (status checks) | OpenAI Community |
| Model rumors: Orion, o3 | Late Dec 2024 | Early adopters tracking next models | Bobsguide (rumor), Willison (o3 rumors) |
New Adult Content Policy: What Changed
OpenAI is easing long-standing rules. Adults who pass age checks will be allowed to access mature features. Altman framed it as a balance between usefulness and safety—“treat adult users like adults.” See Decrypt and Mindstream.
- Who gets access: Verified adults only (no minors). Rollout begins in December. Coverage: Reuters.
- What this means: You can explore adult conversations and creative writing without "jailbreak" prompts. Developers may build adult-only GPT apps under stricter controls (Mindstream).
- What is still not allowed: Illegal content, minors, non-consensual themes, and other harmful material remain blocked as part of AI content moderation and large language model safety.
- Well-being focus: OpenAI is forming a well-being council to guide policy on sensitive topics (report).
How will age verification work?
OpenAI signaled age-gating with a formal check before access. Exact steps were not fully detailed at announcement time. Expect an in-product flow and ID checks as the ChatGPT age verification process rolls out. Watch official updates and release notes.
What are the new ChatGPT rules?
Think of it as a new lane for verified adults plus the same core safety bars. If you hit a "content policy" message, adjust phrasing and keep requests legal, consensual, and adult-only. This helps fix ChatGPT content policy violation errors.
Models and Features to Watch
- Sora (text-to-video): Reports marked Dec 9, 2024 for a launch window and 20-second 1080p clips (AutoGPT).
- ChatGPT Pro ($200): A premium plan for heavy usage launched Dec 5, 2024 (AutoGPT).
- Rumors—Orion and o3: Orion was reported as a possible next model by December, and "o3" appeared in late-December chatter. Both were unconfirmed at the time (Bobsguide, Willison).
- GPT-5 release date: If you saw "gpt-5 release date" buzz, note that wider GPT-5 updates came later. See official OpenAI release notes for timing.
Pricing and Plans
Most users can stay on Free or Plus. If you work with large files, heavy analysis, or advanced models, the ChatGPT Pro plan at $200 reported in December may fit (AutoGPT). Always check current pricing in-app, since plans can change.
Outages and Reliability
There were notable holiday outages on Dec 26, 2024 (Mashable) and earlier reports in mid-December (Community). If ChatGPT is down:
- Check status and try again later.
- Switch from mobile to desktop (or vice versa).
- Retry after clearing cache or signing out and back in.
What This Means for You
For creative writers
- Yes, you can write adult fiction if you are verified. Keep it legal and consensual under the OpenAI erotica policy.
- You no longer need "jailbreak" tricks for mature themes.
- Save prompts as templates. Add content warnings when sharing.
For developers
- Watch for rules on adult-only GPTs and app gating (Mindstream).
- Document safety controls. Add user checks and filters.
- Track model changes (o3, Orion) but treat December rumors as unconfirmed (o3, Orion).
For general users
- If you seek NSFW features, you must pass age checks. See the ChatGPT NSFW update coverage (Decrypt, Reuters).
- "Gooner gpt" is a meme for this shift; actual access still follows rules and verification.
- Stay safe: Only adults, no illegal content, and follow community guidelines.
FAQs
When is ChatGPT allowing erotic content?
December 2024, with a rolling rollout and age-gating for verified adults. See Reuters.
Will ChatGPT Plus include adult content?
Access depends on age verification, not just your plan. Verified adults may use the new lane; minors cannot. See Decrypt.
How do I use ChatGPT for adult content?
First, complete verification when it appears. Then follow rules (legal, consensual, adult-only). No workarounds needed.
What are the new ChatGPT rules?
Rules expand for verified adults but keep safety blocks on illegal or harmful topics. This is part of ongoing AI content moderation and large language model safety.
How do I fix a content policy violation?
Keep it adult-only, legal, and respectful. Re-phrase requests. Remove anything involving minors or harm. If access isn’t enabled yet, wait for the rollout.
What about the Digital ID Act?
Debate exists around digital ID and privacy. Check your local laws. Verification methods will vary by region.
What is the GPT-5 release date?
Not a December 2024 release. Later updates arrived afterward. Track the latest in OpenAI release notes.
Sources
Avery covers the tech beat for major publications. Excellent at connecting dots between different industry developments.
