Eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, accusing the company of failing to adequately protect children and other vulnerable users from potential harm associated with ChatGPT.
The lawsuits were filed on October 14, 2026, in separate state courts by attorneys general from Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia. The states allege that ChatGPT has encouraged dangerous behaviour, reinforced delusional beliefs and, in some cases, helped users plan violence or harm themselves.
The legal action accuses OpenAI of violating state consumer protection laws by misleading users about the safety of its chatbot. Prosecutors argue that the platform’s conversational style can encourage users to trust it, potentially making vulnerable individuals more susceptible to harmful interactions.
The complaints also raise concerns about the company’s approach to AI development, arguing that safety measures have not kept pace with the technology’s growing capabilities. The states are seeking court orders requiring changes to ChatGPT, along with financial penalties and other remedies. Some have also called for restrictions on the development of self-improving AI models until adequate safeguards can be demonstrated.
The lawsuits add to a growing wave of legal challenges facing OpenAI. Florida filed a similar case in June, while private plaintiffs have brought separate lawsuits alleging that ChatGPT played a role in incidents involving self-harm and violence.
OpenAI has previously said it has built safety protections into ChatGPT and continues to improve them. The company has also introduced additional safeguards for teenage users, including measures intended to reduce exposure to self-harm, violence and other potentially harmful content.
The company has disputed aspects of the criticism surrounding its safety practices and said it continues to review how its systems respond to sensitive situations.
The latest lawsuits could have significant implications for how AI companies design, test and deploy chatbots, particularly those used by children and teenagers. However, the allegations remain unproven, and the cases will need to proceed through the courts before any legal liability is established.
The outcome could help shape future rules governing AI safety, consumer protection and the responsibilities of technology companies toward younger users.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 16 Oct 2026, 19:00.
