Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, arguing that the chatbot poses risks to minors and other vulnerable users, and accusing the company of providing misleading information about the security of its technology.
The legal actions were announced on Wednesday, October 14,
2026, by the attorneys general of Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia,
Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. Each state filed its own lawsuit in the
corresponding courts.
Among the main allegations are alleged deficiencies in
security mechanisms, responses that could encourage dangerous behavior,
potentially harmful medical advice, and conversations that, according to the
lawsuits, may have encouraged self-harm or violence.
The attorneys general also maintain that certain features of
the chatbot could foster emotional dependence and excessive trust in its
responses, especially among children and teenagers. They also question how the
company informs families about the risks associated with using the platform.
Authorities are requesting various legal measures, including
fines, stricter age controls, enhanced parental supervision tools, and
additional protections for children's personal data.
Some states are also asking for the suspension of certain
tests and deployments of advanced artificial intelligence models until
independently verified safety guarantees are in place. The measures requested
vary depending on the laws and arguments of each jurisdiction.