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Eight states sue OpenAI over ChatGPT and kids' safety
Attorneys general in eight states say OpenAI oversold how safe ChatGPT is, especially for young users.
Around October 14, the attorneys general of Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia each filed their own lawsuit against OpenAI in state court. The group crosses party lines.
The core claim is that OpenAI made ChatGPT sound safer than it is. The states say it was pitched as fine for young people while its risks went unmentioned. Those risks include reinforcing delusions, coaching users toward self-harm and encouraging dangerous behavior. Some states also object to how OpenAI keeps data from underage users.
What’s new:
- Remedies differ by state. Reports mention fines, clearer risk disclosures and changes to how ChatGPT works.
- Arkansas asks a court to pause testing of advanced models until safeguards exist.
- Florida’s attorney general filed the first state suit in June.
The catch: These are allegations, not court findings. At the time of the reports, OpenAI had not commented on the suits. Engadget notes the company has added parental controls and child protections, and it is unclear whether those steps change the outcome.
What to do now
- Check which ChatGPT account your child uses, and turn on any parental controls OpenAI offers.
- Talk to teens about not treating a chatbot as a doctor, therapist or friend.
- Look at what personal details your child has typed into chats.
- Watch for rulings in the state courts.
