BlockBeats reports that Claude and ChatGPT users have reported account bans as both companies tighten risk controls

AT A GLANCE

The report says Claude and ChatGPT are tightening account risk controls, but verification with a Chinese passport does not necessarily result in an account ban, and the specific policies remain unverified.

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Claude instantly bans users after Chinese passport checks, while OpenAI limits multiple accounts linked to card:AI giants tighten risk controls in succession

BlockBeats AI News: Recently, numerous Claude and ChatGPT users have reported sudden account bans. Claude users have frequently encountered identity verification requests, with some banned immediately after submitting Chinese passports. ChatGPT, meanwhile, saw a concentration of account-ban complaints around November 7, affecting free users, Plus subscribers, Pro subscribers paying 200 USD per month, and even enterprise accounts.

Claude began rolling out identity verification in April this year. Users may be asked to upload a passport or other identity document through the third-party platform Persona and then take a selfie to verify their identity.October Since the end of September, many longtime users have suddenly encountered verification requests. Some were immediately banned after verifying with a Chinese passport, while others passed. One user's account was banned immediately after submitting a passport and restored the day after an appeal.

Anthropic officially prohibits the use of Claude from unsupported regions, including mainland China. In its security report dated API, the company stated that its systems identify risk signals such as unauthorized resale of Claude and accounts originating from restricted regions such as China, and require the users concerned to verify their identities. Failed verification results in an account ban.

OpenAI has also begun strictly limiting the use of multiple accounts. According to its latest official documentation, linking too many subscriptions to the same bank card can prevent new accounts from purchasing a membership. Logging in to too many paid accounts on the same device can also trigger restrictions, and users may even be unable to use the service after a successful payment. The restrictions cover Go, Plus, and all Pro membership tiers.

OpenAI has also recently given eligible Pro users credits equal to the price of their membership, up to 500 USD per month. These credits have also become a target for resale by third-party intermediary platforms to other users. OpenAI explicitly prohibits reselling API credits or sharing accounts, and violations can result in account bans.

The companies have also recently updated their usage policies in succession. Anthropic announced new rules on October 8, further clarifying access restrictions for unsupported regions, including mainland China, effective November 12. OpenAI announced new rules on October 21, requiring intermediary platforms that directly provide access to GPT models to obtain official approval in advance, effective November 20.

Key points

The report summarizes user feedback indicating that some Claude and ChatGPT accounts were suddenly banned, with a concentration of ChatGPT account-ban complaints around November 7.
The report notes that after Claude users submitted Chinese passports, some were banned, some passed verification, and others had their accounts restored after appealing.
The report says Claude identity verification may require users to upload identity documents through Persona and take a selfie.
Citing an Anthropic security report, the article says risk signals such as restricted regions and unauthorized resale may trigger identity verification, and failed verification will result in an account ban.
Citing OpenAI documentation, the report says linking too many subscriptions to the same bank card or logging in to too many paid accounts on the same device may trigger restrictions affecting Go, Plus, and all Pro membership tiers.
The report says OpenAI prohibits reselling API credits or sharing accounts, and violations may result in account bans.
The report says the relevant new Anthropic and OpenAI rules take effect on November 12 and November 20, respectively.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

The report concerns identity verification, restrictions on accounts linked to bank cards and devices, and rules on reselling accounts and API credits. User complaints should be distinguished from the official policies as described in the report: the material does not provide the original policy documents, and the article includes both cases of users being banned after verification with a Chinese passport and cases of users passing verification or having their accounts restored after an appeal. The headline should not be taken to mean that submitting a Chinese passport will necessarily result in a ban.

Why it matters to readers

These restrictions affect whether accounts can continue to be used, whether users can purchase memberships, and whether third-party intermediary services comply with platform rules, making them relevant to affected users.

Do not treat individual account-ban experiences as a universal rule. Before purchasing a membership, using an intermediary service, or sharing an account, check the scope of the official restrictions rather than relying on the headline alone.

Risks and unknowns

The material does not include the specific official policy documents, and the report's descriptions of the scope of the rules and their effective dates remain unverified.
The user complaints have not been independently verified, and the number of accounts banned, the specific reasons, and the extent of the impact are unknown.

BlockBeats reports that Claude and ChatGPT users have reported account bans as both companies tighten risk controls

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