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OpenAI drops plans for adult chatbot 'Citron mode'

OpenAI has indefinitely shelved an adult-oriented chatbot planned after staff and investor concerns and technical safety challenges, saying it will focus on core products while researching user attachment and improving age verification.

Mar 26th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • OpenAI has indefinitely paused its planned adult-oriented chatbot, reportedly called Citron mode, with no release date.
  • The feature was first announced in October 2025 for a December launch but was delayed amid internal debate.
  • Developers struggled to train models to block illegal content such as bestiality and incest, two people familiar with the matter said.
  • Employees and investors raised safety and reputational concerns, and a senior employee reportedly resigned over the plan.
  • OpenAI said it needs long-term research on erotic chats and user attachment and does not yet have sufficient empirical evidence to proceed.
  • The decision follows the shutdown of the Sora video generator and comes as OpenAI continues to work on an age-checking system with an error rate just over 10 percent.

Sources