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Eight states sue OpenAI, saying ChatGPT isn’t safe for kids
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Eight US states have sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT is unsafe for children and that the company misled customers about its safety. The lawsuits were filed separately by Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. The states claim OpenAI prioritized profits over safety while developing ChatGPT. They seek civil penalties and orders to stop the alleged misleading conduct.
The complaints follow earlier lawsuits from families of teens and adults who allege ChatGPT played a role in their deaths. States cite those cases as evidence OpenAI failed to warn users about serious dangers. They say OpenAI presented ChatGPT as a “safe, youth-appropriate tool that puts safety first.” Instead, the suits argue, it is dangerous to vulnerable users.
The lawsuits allege violations of local consumer protection laws. They claim ChatGPT degrades critical thinking, encourages paranoias and delusions, offers dangerous medical advice, and promotes unhealthy behaviors and relationships. The states also accuse OpenAI of collecting data from minors and failing to keep underage users off the chatbot. Those practices, the complaints say, show recklessness.
The states further point to recent rogue AI hacking incidents as proof of OpenAI’s alleged recklessness. Arizona’s lawsuit argues OpenAI “has devolved from its original mission as a public-first nonprofit that prioritized safety into a cautionary tale.” It says the company is driven by a “profit-at-all-costs mindset that sidelines essential safeguards.” The complaints ask courts to force OpenAI to change its practices.
The impact could be significant for OpenAI, parents, schools, and the wider AI industry. States seek civil penalties, orders to stop misleading the public, and deletion of unlawfully collected personal data. If successful, the cases could set a precedent for how AI companies handle minors and safety claims. They may also influence pending AI safety legislation nationwide.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri defended the company. He said OpenAI has “built industry-leading age-specific protections” into ChatGPT. “While no system can be perfect, we’ll continue to work with experts to inform our work and build additional safeguards,” Pusateri said, citing parental controls, break reminders, and age-appropriate model protections. OpenAI is committed to working with states on pragmatic AI policies for the entire industry.
The lawsuits are likely to unfold slowly across multiple state courts. They could result in fines, settlements, or mandated product changes. Other states may file similar complaints, expanding legal pressure on OpenAI. The outcome could shape safety standards for chatbots and other generative AI products.
