Observed Signal · Jan 2, 2025 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
OpenAI Opt-out Tool Delayed, Still Not Available
OpenAI announced in May 2024 a Media Manager to give creators and rights holders control over whether their works can be used to train OpenAI models. It would function as an opt-out mechanism, expanding crawling controls like robots.txt, and would rely on advanced ML to identify copyrighted text, images, audio, and video across sources. OpenAI stated the tool should be in place by 2025 to set a standard for the industry and reflect creator preferences. By 2025, the Media Manager has not launched, with deadline interpretations remaining unclear; TechCrunch cited a lack of priority. In December 2024, OpenAI released other features (ChatGPT Search, Sora, Projects for ChatGPT, o3 model) but not the Media Manager. Creators and publishers express concerns about fair use and consent for AI training; some publishers block GPTBot via robots.txt. The piece underscores the need for a robust opt-out tool and awaits a 2025 launch.
Moderate impact; OpenAI Media Manager delay affects creator/content rights and AI training controls.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- OpenAI announced Media Manager in May 2024 as an opt-out control for Creator Content used for AI training.
- The tool would identify copyrighted text, images, audio, and video across sources and reflect creator preferences.
- OpenAI stated the Media Manager should be in place by 2025 to set a standard for the AI industry.
- As of 2025, the Media Manager has not launched; deadline interpretations were unclear; TechCrunch described it as lacking priority.
- In December 2024, OpenAI released other features (ChatGPT Search free access, Sora, Projects for ChatGPT, o3 model) but not Media Manager.
Connected Companies & Entities
6 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Google AI opt-out leaves publishers with unusable choice
The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered Google to give publishers greater control and transparency over how their content is used in AI search—including opt-outs from AI Overviews, AI Mode, AI summaries in Discover, clearer attribution, reporting, and an opt-out from model training. Google says it will roll out an opt-out toggle globally via Search Console and has nine months to implement changes. Publishers and industry figures warn the remedy is effectively unusable: the system is default opt-in, Google is not providing AI-specific click data necessary to judge impact, and multiple services may be bundled under a single toggle. Many publishers fear they will remain opted in due to competitive pressure and lack of granular reporting. The CMA says it will monitor implementation and may take further action if necessary.
UK Orders Google to Allow Publisher AI Opt-Out
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered Google to give UK publishers the ability to opt out of having their content used in Google’s AI search features without removing their sites from general Google Search. The mandate requires controls that separately cover use for model training (including fine-tuning) and grounding of AI outputs, and allows domain- or page-level opt-outs. Google is prohibited from penalising publishers’ search rankings for opting out. The company has nine months to implement the measures and must publish regular compliance reports. Google says it is already testing grounding controls with a subset of UK site owners and may roll out more broadly. Industry group Movement for an Open Web criticised the nine-month timeline as too slow.
OpenAI Postpones ChatGPT's Adult Mode Launch Again
OpenAI has postponed the planned launch of “adult mode” for ChatGPT, a feature intended to give age‑verified adult users access to erotica and other adult content. CEO Sam Altman first announced the capability in October and indicated a December rollout tied to broader age‑gating, but the launch was previously moved to Q1. An OpenAI spokesperson told Axios the company is “pushing out the launch of adult mode” to prioritize work that benefits more users now — focusing on improvements to intelligence, personality and proactivity — and said getting the experience right will take more time. OpenAI has not provided a new timeline for the feature. The reporting was published by TechCrunch and the delay was first reported by Sources.
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