Hacker Remix

Ask HN: Why does OpenAI require an ID to use their image API?

6 points by speedylight 3 days ago | 3 comments

I was hoping to try out the “Open”AI image generation API in their Playground but it asked me to give them a copy of my ID for verification?

I was planning to build a couple of web applications on top of the API but this is really off putting, especially given how prevalent data breaches have become and the simple fact that there’s no need for it other than their pathetic attempts to look like they care about AI safety.

jmcguckin 2 days ago

I think part of the reason is that they want to be able to track the images back to you. Some person in the company is probably worried that a user will generate child porn like images and distribute them on the net. When the cops eventually come calling, they want to point to the user. This probably means there is a user-id embedded somewhere in the image.

cookiemonsieur 14 hours ago

If you put the feature behind a paywall, technically you can track requests using the payment card ?

In that case, what would be the added benefit of using an government issued ID ? really curious.

wkat4242 2 days ago

It's weird because I can do this and I'm sure I never sent them any verification. Because I'm always incredibly hesitant to do so, it would have been a dealbreaker. Our national IDs contain a lot of sensitive info. The government even advises us to black those out. But then most companies refuse it.

I do have credits paid up though and I've had an account since the early days of DALL-E. Maybe having a payment method serves as verification? Or it only applies to recently created accounts?