Not just that. To even get access to their API, you need to apply. That is the future of AI I'm afraid without projects like this. That is Elites controlling AI and deciding who is "worthy" to use it.

I'm sure they have the best of intentions but "worthiness" is subjective.

Depends on who you mean by "they". If you mean the researchers, then sure, they probably actually believe whatever's written in their ethics statement.

Now, the actual owners? I don't believe it for a second

Considering last decade social consequences due to easy access to APIs and data, I am quite happy that these initiatives are cautious around opening up software which can have huge impact on society.

Unfortunately, the cat is out of the bag. Their methods are documented and the results exciting, so to a bad actor (especially state-sponsored) it's completely justified to spend millions attempting to replicate their results from what is publicly available.