Flathub walked back their generative AI ban, replaced with a disclosure policy

Flathub replaced its near-total ban on generative AI app and game submissions with a disclosure policy, initially amended on September 4th, requiring submitters to identify any AI-generated code, documentation, packaging, or other material and its approximate extent. The policy, which applies to the Linux app store also used for Desktop Mode installs on SteamOS, still bars AI-generated or AI-assisted content from Flathub manifests, prohibits AI tools or agents from opening or automating submission pull requests or generating commit messages, descriptions, review comments, or replies, and leaves other disclosed AI material to reviewer discretion, with undisclosed or misrepresented material subject to rejection and repeated violations to a permanent ban.

Back in May https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2026/05/flathub-moves-to-ban-nearly-all-apps-and-submissions-made-with-generative-ai/ , GamingOnLinux reported how Flathub had near-enough banned generative AI for app / game submissions, but they've mostly walked it back. What is Flathub? It's one of the most popular ways to get extra applications installed on Linux, with it also being the main way to install stuff in Desktop Mode on SteamOS systems too. Now, instead of just banning anything that used generative AI, the use of AI must be fully disclosed if any of it is used within the application / game being submitted. Even so, reviewers of submissions are still allowed to reject them at their own discretion - which could end up making things a bit messy when one app is approved and another is not. The new policy https://github.com/flathub-infra/documentation/blob/main/docs/02-for-app-authors/02-requirements.md generative-ai-policy in full that was initially amended on September 4th: "Generative AI policy Submitters must disclose any AI-generated code, documentation, packaging, or other material they know or reasonably believe is included in the application or its Flathub packaging. The disclosure must identify the affected parts and approximate extent. Flathub manifests must not contain AI-generated or AI-assisted content. Disclosure does not exempt manifests from this restriction. AI used only for research, discussion, or debugging does not need disclosure when no generated material is included in the application or its Flathub packaging. Other disclosed AI-generated material is evaluated at reviewer discretion. Reviewers may reject a submission, including without further review, based on the extent or role of generated material or concerns about its review, quality, or maintainability. Disclosure does not create a presumption of acceptance. AI tools or agents must not open or automate Flathub submission pull requests, or generate their commit messages, descriptions, review comments, or replies. Submitters must not request AI-agent reviews. Undisclosed or materially misrepresented AI-generated material, or prohibited AI-generated submission or review interactions, may result in rejection. Repeated violations may result in a permanent ban from future submissions and activities." What are your thoughts on the policy now? External Sources: GitHub - documentation https://github.com/flathub-infra/documentation/blob/main/docs/02-for-app-authors/02-requirements.md generative-ai-policy Some you may have missed, popular articles from the last month: All posts need to follow our rules https://www.gamingonlinux.com/index.php?module=rules . Please hit the Report Flag icon on any post that breaks the rules or contains illegal / harmful content. Readers can also email us https://www.gamingonlinux.com/email-us/ for any issues or concerns.