Eight US states file suits against OpenAI over ChatGPT's harm to users
Attorneys general from Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, West Virginia and other states say the chatbot endangers children and misled the public about its safety. OpenAI says its safeguards are strong.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
Attorneys general from eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT harmed children and users and that the company misled people about its risks. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and counterparts from Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia and Arkansas announced their suit in Des Moines, and the states say OpenAI rushed its models to market without adequate safety testing.
Why it matters
The states are seeking changes to ChatGPT, compensation and tougher safeguards. The cases extend state scrutiny from social media to AI, following Meta's $18 billion settlement over children's safety.
Timeline
- Oct 14, 2026: West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey announces a lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the company built a program that draws users in to collect their data.
- Oct 15, 3:22 PM ET: Several state attorneys general file separate suits in their own state courts against the AI company over ChatGPT's policies.
- Oct 15, 9:29 PM ET: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, joined in Des Moines by counterparts from Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia and Arkansas, announces the group's lawsuit.
- Oct 16, 7:44 AM ET: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird says the states allege OpenAI released its models without adequate safety testing.
Coverage
- WV, other states sue OpenAI, claiming ChatGPT chatbot deceives users, harms children (wvgazettemail.com)
- West Virginia AG JB McCuskey sues OpenAI over ChatGPT child safety (NewsNation)
- Eight States Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety Risks (law360.com)
- Who is responsible when AI causes harm? (deseret.com)
- Iowa joins other states with a lawsuit against OpenAI (kscj.com)
- W.Va. Joins Seven States Suing OpenAI (theintelligencer.net)
- 8 states, including Arizona, sue OpenAI (fox10phoenix.com)
- OpenAI Faces New Lawsuits Over ChatGPT Safety: What Parents Need to Know (Yahoo News)
- New lawsuits: OpenAI's 'insatiable hunger to win AI race' led to people getting hurt (wjla.com)
- Eight states sue OpenAI saying ChatGPT hurt kids and lied to adults (AP)
- States sue AI giant OpenAI, saying its popular chatbot is hurting children and deceiving adults (AP)
- Eight states file lawsuits against OpenAI over ChatGPT hurting children and deceiving parents — Transparency Coalition. Legislation for Transparency in AI Now. (transparencycoalition.ai)
- Montana attorney general sues OpenAI over alleged harm to children and teens (nbcmontana.com)
- Kansas AG moves to sue OpenAI over safety of ChatGPT (hayspost.com)
- Eight states sue OpenAI over ChatGPT harms to children
- Mother sues OpenAI over ChatGPT data from children
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