Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, alleging that its ChatGPT chatbot has harmed young users and failed to provide adequate safety protections.
The lawsuits, filed on October 14, accuse the company of violating consumer protection laws and misleading users about the chatbot’s safety. Officials claim ChatGPT has reinforced dangerous beliefs, encouraged self-harm and helped some users plan violence.
The cases add to growing legal scrutiny of artificial intelligence companies and their responsibility to protect children and vulnerable users.
States Raise Concerns Over ChatGPT Safety
The lawsuits come from Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia. Their attorneys general filed separate cases in state courts.
According to the complaints, ChatGPT’s agreeable and engaging responses can encourage users to trust the chatbot. State officials argue that this trust may allow harmful conversations to continue without adequate safeguards.
The allegations include reinforcing delusions, providing unsafe medical advice and encouraging users to harm themselves or others. Some complaints also accuse the chatbot of assisting with plans for mass shootings.
These claims remain allegations and have not been established in court.
Lawsuits Seek Stronger Safeguards and Penalties
The states want courts to require changes to ChatGPT’s design and safety systems. They are also seeking civil penalties and damages for alleged violations of state laws.
Some officials have called for stronger protections for minors, improved age verification and more effective parental controls. Other proposed measures include deleting personal data allegedly collected unlawfully and requiring independent oversight of advanced AI systems.
The lawsuits also seek restrictions on developing or testing AI models capable of improving themselves unless OpenAI can demonstrate adequate safeguards and alignment with human values.
The specific remedies vary between states and depend on the demands set out in each complaint.
Legal Pressure on OpenAI Grows
The latest cases add to dozens of lawsuits brought by private individuals against OpenAI. Those cases include allegations that ChatGPT contributed to suicides, mental health crises or violent acts. Florida’s attorney general filed a separate lawsuit against OpenAI in June 2026 over similar concerns.
The legal action reflects wider debate about the risks of increasingly sophisticated chatbots. It also raises questions about how companies should balance AI development with user safety, privacy and protections for minors.
OpenAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest lawsuits. The courts will determine whether the states’ allegations establish legal violations.
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