Age Restrictions in OpenAI API Terms of Use and Service Operations Response

Tadashi Shigeoka ·  Sat, August 17, 2024

OpenAI’s terms of use establish age restrictions for users of their API, and these rules serve as important guidelines for service providers utilizing the API. Specifically, users must be at least 13 years old or have reached the required age for service use in their country of residence. Furthermore, users under 18 years old must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to use the service.

Terms of Use (effective January 31, 2024)

These age restrictions respond to regulations concerning personal information protection and online activities of minors, and service operators are required to comply appropriately. For example, during account registration, it’s necessary to verify that users meet age requirements and clearly indicate that parental consent is required for minor users.

年齢制限をサービス利用規約に記載する理由 / Why Age Restrictions Should Be Included in Service Terms of Use

When providing services using the OpenAI API, it’s important to incorporate age restrictions based on OpenAI’s terms into your service’s terms of use. This becomes necessary for service operators for the following reasons:

  1. 法的リスクの軽減 / Legal Risk Reduction: By establishing appropriate restrictions for minor users, service providers can reduce the risk of being held legally responsible. Clearly stating age restrictions is essential to avoid violations of personal information protection laws and regulations for minors.

  2. プラットフォーム規則の遵守 / Platform Rule Compliance: If the API is used in violation of OpenAI’s terms of use, service providers may face sanctions such as API suspension or contract termination. Including age restrictions in terms of use is essential for service operations to avoid this.

  3. ユーザーの保護 / User Protection: When minor users use services without parental consent, unexpected troubles or legal issues may arise. By introducing proper age verification and parental consent processes, service users can be protected.

具体的な対策 / Specific Measures

Service operators should consider the following responses:

  • 年齢確認の導入 / Age Verification Implementation: Add age verification forms during service registration and clearly indicate that parental consent is required for users under 18.

  • 利用規約の明示 / Clear Terms of Use Statement: Include in service terms of use that users under 13 cannot use the service, and clearly state that parental consent is mandatory for users under 18.

  • 親権者の同意確認プロセスの実装 / Parental Consent Verification Process Implementation: Introduce processes to confirm parental consent when users under 18 use the service, thereby reducing legal risks.

まとめ / Summary

Age restrictions based on OpenAI’s terms of use are matters that should be observed in service operations using the API as well. By introducing proper age verification and parental consent processes and reducing legal risks, we can establish an environment where services can be provided with confidence.

That’s all from the Gemba, where I considered terms of use and service operations when providing services utilizing the OpenAI API.