Anthropic drew a distinction between its own consumer service and products built by other organizations in its May 2024 usage-policy announcement. Its consumer terms retained an age minimum of 18, while the announced policy allowed organizations to build API-powered products for minors if they implemented specified safeguards and disclosed the use of AI.
The distinction matters when interpreting an age restriction: eligibility for a consumer chatbot and permission to build a safeguarded application were separate policy questions. The announcement scheduled these changes for June 6, 2024, so it documents that historical policy transition.
