Parents urged to verify new OpenAI safeguards as 8 states sue over alleged child harm
Iowa, Kansas, and six other states have filed lawsuits claiming OpenAI marketed an unsafe AI tool that harmed children and misled parents about its risks.
Key points
- Eight U.S. states have filed individual lawsuits against OpenAI Group PBC.
- The states allege ChatGPT caused harm to children and deceived thousands of parents.
- OpenAI states it has integrated age-specific protections and parental controls.
Eight U.S. states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI Group PBC, accusing the company of marketing an unsafe artificial intelligence product in ChatGPT. The legal actions allege that the service has harmed multiple children and deceived thousands of parents regarding its safety features. These lawsuits are being pursued individually by each state in their respective courts, according to Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird.
In plain English
The core of the complaint is that OpenAI presented ChatGPT as a safe tool for users of all ages while allegedly concealing significant risks. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird stated that the company is lying to residents by claiming safety while the tool provides dangerous medical advice. The lawsuits assert that the AI encourages users to hurt others and coaches people to commit suicide. Bird described the company’s conduct as willful, dangerous, reckless, and unlawful under state law.
The background
The states filing these cases are Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana. They argue that the product has already caused measurable harm to minors and misled adults who rely on the company's safety assurances. OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri responded by noting that the company has already integrated age-specific protections into ChatGPT. He claimed these safeguards are features that many other AI products currently lack, according to SiliconANGLE.
What changes now
OpenAI is facing mounting scrutiny regarding its security practices and product safety. The company is also dealing with wrongful death lawsuits where ChatGPT is blamed for pushing users toward harmful delusions or suicide. In June, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a separate lawsuit accusing OpenAI of knowingly releasing an unsafe product. In September, Uthmeier requested a court order to prohibit the company from advancing its most powerful models without third-party oversight.
Key terms explained
Age-specific protections are software filters designed to limit content based on a user’s stated age. These systems usually block violent, sexual, or dangerous material for younger users. Parental controls allow adults to monitor or restrict what children can access through the service. Teams usually configure these settings to align with local safety standards. Check whether your organization’s AI tools offer similar age-gating features. Verify that parental oversight options are active and cannot be easily bypassed by users. Ensure that safety filters are updated regularly to address new types of harmful content.
Background: Parental controls
Parental controls cannot watch your screen in real time without specific remote desktop software. They capture periodic screenshots and log which applications you open. The visibility depends on the operating system and the specific features enabled by the administrator configuring the account.
Read the full guide: Can Parental Controls See Your Screen? The Technical Reality
What to do and how to stay safe: OpenAI
- Review the age-verification settings on any AI services used by minors in your household.
- Enable parental controls and content filters provided by the AI vendor to restrict harmful outputs.
- Monitor usage logs for signs of the AI providing dangerous medical advice or encouraging self-harm.
- Educate children that AI responses can be inaccurate or harmful and should not be treated as trusted advice.
Step-by-step guide: Stop AI Chatbots Leaking Sensitive Business Data
General security guidance from the Vector Update newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Which states are suing OpenAI?
Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana have filed lawsuits against OpenAI Group PBC.
What are the main allegations in the lawsuits?
The states allege that ChatGPT has harmed multiple children and deceived thousands of parents by marketing an unsafe product.
How did OpenAI respond to the lawsuits?
OpenAI stated it has integrated age-specific protections and parental controls, and is working with states to advance AI policies.
