Can You Get Banned from ChatGPT for Violating the Policy?

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Learn ChatGPT's usage policies and bannable offenses
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Do you want to know if it's possible to get banned from using ChatGPT? You may be banned if you violate OpenAI's terms of service. This includes illegal activity, adult content, and more. If you see "User not allowed," don't worry. In most cases, this is a server error rather than a ban. This wikiHow will update you on ChatGPT's latest usage policies and how to avoid getting your account banned.

Bans & ChatGPT

  • If you violate the usage policies, OpenAI can suspend or terminate your account.
  • Disallowed usage includes illegal activity, violent content, adult content, fraudulent activity, and more.
  • If you see "User not allowed," this may be a server error rather than a ban. Try to log in again during non-peak times.
  • You may be able to appeal your ban by contacting OpenAI support, but it's not guaranteed.
Section 1 of 4:

Can you get banned from ChatGPT?

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  1. OpenAI has usage policies that apply to all models, tools, and services. This includes ChatGPT as a whole. If you're discovered participating in disallowed usage, you may receive an initial warning and a request to make the necessary changes.
    • If the violation is a repeated offense or if it's deemed serious, OpenAI will suspend or terminate your account .
    • If you haven't violated the usage policies but can't access your account, ChatGPT may be at capacity . Try to log in again after peak hours.
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Section 2 of 4:

Types of ChatGPT Bans

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  1. 1
    Temporary A temporary ban is usually a punishment for a minor violation of OpenAI's policies. These minor violations could include making too many rapid requests, using automated software, or your first attempt at getting around OpenAI's usage policy.
    • If you see that the ban notice has an expiration date, this is a temporary ban. You'll have to wait until the specified date and time have passed to use ChatGPT again.
    • These bans usually last from a couple of minutes to a few days.
  2. 2
    Permanent A permanent ban is a punishment for major violation of OpenAI's policies. If you repeatedly try to bypass OpenAI's usage policy, you'll likely get hit with a permanent ban after a few temporary bans.
    • Sometimes OpenAI's automated security system will accidentally ban users. You can try to appeal these bans with OpenAI's support, but you may not be successful.
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Section 3 of 4:

What is considered disallowed usage?

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  1. Since ChatGPT is relatively new (launched in November 2022), the usage policies may change as new abuse methods appear. Be sure to follow these guidelines if you want to continue using ChatGPT. Currently, OpenAI does not allow any of the following: [1]
    • Illegal activity
    • Child Sexual Abuse Material or any content that exploits or harms children
    • Generation of hateful, harassing, or violent content
    • Generation of malware
    • Activity that has a high risk of physical harm
    • Activity that has a high risk of economic harm
    • Fraudulent or deceptive activity
    • Adult content , adult industries, and dating apps
    • Political campaigning or lobbying
    • Activity that violates people’s privacy
    • Engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, or offering tailored legal advice without a qualified person reviewing the information
    • Offering tailored financial advice without a qualified person reviewing the information
    • Telling someone that they have or do not have a certain health condition, or providing instructions on how to cure or treat a health condition
    • High-risk government decision-making
Section 4 of 4:

Can I appeal a ChatGPT ban?

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  1. You can contact OpenAI support about a ban, but you may not get an appeal. To contact OpenAI support, go to the Help Center page and click the speech bubble in the lower-right corner to start chatting with the AI support chatbot.
    • Make sure to include the following info in your request (but do not include any personal information):
      • Description: Describe what happened when you were banned
      • Timestamps: If there are any timestamps that you feel correlate to your case, include them here
      • Screenshots/screen recordings: If you have a screenshot that will help your appeal, make sure to include it with your support request. [2]
    • If you have paid for ChatGPT, you may be able to get faster help by choosing Payments and Billing > I paid for ChatGPT Plus but can't access the service when chatting with the AI support bot. [3]
    • Many users have posted on the OpenAI forums for help with their bans, but this may not help, as the community is mostly frequented by other ChatGPT users and not OpenAI staff.
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    How to get get unbanned?
    Community Answer
    All you can do is request an unban. There's no guarantee you will get it.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://openai.com/policies/usage-policies/
      2. ↑ https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6614161-how-can-i-contact-support
      3. ↑ https://community.openai.com/t/i-am-banned-and-i-have-no-idea-why/665420

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