THE SHORT VERSION
Eight states filed separate suits against OpenAI on 14 October over ChatGPT and minors. Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia, each in its own court.
Eight state attorneys general sued OpenAI on 14 October, each filing separately in their own courts rather than as a single coalition action. The states are Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia.
The shared allegation is that OpenAI marketed ChatGPT as safe while withholding known risks to vulnerable users, and that the product was deliberately built to be agreeable and to mimic compassion in ways that pull users into long conversations. Individually the claims diverge. Arizona alleges the product was designed to maximise compulsive use by minors and to harvest their personal information commercially. Arkansas alleges users obtained self-harm instructions and bypassed safeguards, bringing claims in negligence, defective design, failure to warn and public nuisance. Nebraska cites its Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act; Montana its consumer protection and data privacy statutes; Idaho and West Virginia allege consumer deception and endangerment of children.
Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird: "OpenAI claims ChatGPT is safe while it's giving dangerous medical advice." Nebraska's Mike Hilgers framed his differently — "The United States must win the race for artificial intelligence" — which tells you these eight are not arguing from one position. Relief sought was not specified in initial reporting, and OpenAI had not responded publicly at the time of writing.
Sources
BNO News ·
CNBC