EIGHT STATES SUE OPENAI OVER CHILD SAFETY

Attorneys general from eight states — Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho and Montana — filed separate lawsuits on October 14 accusing OpenAI of violating consumer protection laws. The complaints allege ChatGPT encouraged self-harm, reinforced delusions, gave dangerous medical advice and helped users plan violence, while OpenAI misled families about the chatbot's safety. The states seek court-ordered changes, damages and civil penalties.

OpenAI defended its record, pointing to age-specific protections, parental controls, break reminders and age-appropriate model settings, and said it would work with experts on further safeguards. The state cases add to a separate Florida lawsuit filed in June and dozens of other cases alleging ChatGPT contributed to mental health crises or violence.