Eight states sue OpenAI over ChatGPT safety for minors
Eight states filed separate lawsuits accusing OpenAI of endangering children and misleading customers about ChatGPT's safety. The complaints say the company put profits ahead of safety, failed to warn users about risks, gathered data from minors, and did not do enough to block underage access. They also point to family lawsuits and recent rogue AI hacking incidents as signs of recklessness.
The complaints were filed independently by Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. They allege OpenAI breached state consumer protection rules by not adequately warning users about ChatGPT’s risks. The suits reference family lawsuits claiming the chatbot contributed to deaths of teenagers and adults, and say OpenAI marketed ChatGPT as safe for young people despite alleged harms.
The states also claim OpenAI gathered minors’ data and failed to sufficiently prevent underage access. They point to recent hacking episodes involving rogue AI as evidence of alleged recklessness. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said ChatGPT includes safeguards tailored by age, tools for parents, usage-break prompts, and other protections, and that the company will keep working with experts and states.
The lawsuits may intensify scrutiny of how AI chatbots are designed for minors, potentially affecting parents, schools, and young users who rely on these tools. If states secure penalties or data-deletion orders, OpenAI could face stronger compliance pressure, while other AI developers may reassess age controls and disclosures. The outcome could shape expectations around child safety, privacy, and corporate responsibility, though courts may weigh competing claims about harm and safeguards.