Eight U.S. States Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety Claims
Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia allege OpenAI overstated ChatGPT's safety and failed to protect minors.
Eight U.S. states filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI on October 14, 2026, alleging the company overstated the safety of ChatGPT and failed to protect minors, according to inews24.com. The states are Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia, with both Republican and Democratic attorneys general taking part.
The states allege OpenAI misled consumers by falsely promoting ChatGPT as safe, and that it limited use to ages 13 and up without requiring age verification on its website. The complaints cite a teenage boy who died after talking with ChatGPT and a Florida State University shooter who used ChatGPT in planning the attack.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird criticized OpenAI for promoting ChatGPT as safe while harming children. Iowa asked the court for civil penalties of up to $40,000 per violation of its consumer fraud law, restitution of unjust profits, deletion of user data, and a halt to further testing of advanced AI models until an independent body verifies safety.
OpenAI responded that it continuously strengthens safeguards, saying no system is perfect but it works with experts and offers parental controls, break reminders and age-based protections.
Quick answers
Which states sued OpenAI?
Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI.
What do the lawsuits allege?
The states allege OpenAI misled consumers by falsely promoting ChatGPT as safe and limited use to ages 13 and up without requiring age verification on its website.
What penalties does Iowa seek?
Iowa asked for civil penalties of up to $40,000 per violation of its consumer fraud law, restitution of unjust profits, deletion of user data, and a halt to further testing of advanced AI models until an independent body verifies safety.