Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that the ChatGPT chatbot is an unsafe product that harms children and misleads parents. The legal action was initiated by attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana in their respective state courts.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stated that the lawsuits aim to hold the company accountable for its actions. The complaints allege that the service provides dangerous medical advice, encourages self-harm, and promotes violent behavior while posing as a companion to users.
OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded that the company has implemented age-appropriate safeguards, including parental controls and break reminders, which are absent in many other AI products. The company is currently working with state officials to develop industry-wide policies.
This follows a June lawsuit filed by Florida Attorney General James Usmayer, which also accused the firm of releasing an unsafe product. In August, OpenAI launched ChatGPT for Teens, a specialized version for minors designed to provide educational features and age-appropriate content restrictions.
