On October 14, 2026, attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho and Montana filed separate civil actions against OpenAI. The complaints allege that the company’s chatbot, ChatGPT, poses risks to children and that the firm misrepresented the safety of the service. The lawsuits were first reported by Reuters and later detailed by The Verge.
The states contend that OpenAI placed profit considerations ahead of protective measures, thereby endangering minors who interact with the AI. They claim the company’s marketing downplays potential exposure to inappropriate content and that safeguards were insufficient for younger users. Plaintiffs argue that such practices violate consumer protection statutes and expose children to psychological harm.
Arizona’s lawsuit claims OpenAI abandoned its original public-first nonprofit mission, turning safety into a cautionary example of profit-driven AI development. The filing suggests the company’s shift undermines essential safeguards and puts vulnerable users at risk. It further alleges that the firm failed to implement age-appropriate filters and ignored expert recommendations on child protection.
OpenAI responded that while no AI system can guarantee absolute safety, the company continuously collaborates with experts to enhance protections. It points to existing features such as parental controls, break reminders and age-appropriate model restrictions, and says it is willing to work with state regulators on pragmatic policies that cover the broader AI sector.
The complaints ask courts to impose civil penalties on OpenAI and to order the company to cease any deceptive statements about ChatGPT’s safety. Several states also request the deletion of personal data that they allege was collected without proper consent, arguing that such data handling violates state privacy statutes.
These actions arrive amid growing scrutiny of generative AI tools and calls for uniform industry regulations. The Reuters report noted that the lawsuits could set precedents for how states hold AI developers accountable for child safety. Industry observers suggest that the outcomes may influence future federal guidance and corporate risk-management strategies.