Eight US States File Lawsuits Against OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety
State attorneys general allege the company prioritised profits over child safety and consumer protection.
A new wave of legal action has been launched against OpenAI in the United States. Attorneys general from eight states have filed lawsuits against the artificial intelligence giant, accusing the company of misleading users and potentially harming children.
Separate lawsuits were filed by the states of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. The primary allegation across all filings is that OpenAI prioritised profits over safety during the development and deployment of ChatGPT.
Violation of Consumer Rights
The court documents state that OpenAI has violated local consumer protection laws. Specifically, the plaintiffs argue that the company failed to adequately warn the public and parents about the risks associated with using its generative chatbot.
The prosecution also draws on previous lawsuits filed by families of teenagers and adults. In those cases, families claimed that the AI chatbot played a role in the severe emotional or physical distress experienced by their loved ones.
This coordinated effort by the states highlights that the rapid deployment of AI products by technology companies is now facing strict scrutiny from state regulators. This process is significant for global users as well, as such major legal challenges could force OpenAI to further tighten age restrictions and safety filters.