Eight US states sue OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT harms children

Eight US states are now suing OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT harms children. Florida opened the door. On June 1, 2026, it became the first US state to file a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman, over the risks ChatGPT allegedly poses to minors. What Florida is alleging Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed the complaint, which runs 83 pages. The filing alleges that ChatGPT has contributed to real-world harm. It cites a shooting at a Tallahassee university and cases of self-harm among teenagers. The legal theories are broad. Florida claims violations tied to unfair trade practices, product liability, public nuisance and negligence. The stakes are large. The suit seeks potential civil penalties that could reach into the billions of dollars. The remedies Florida is pursuing could include an overhaul of how the chatbot interacts with young users. The state also wants to hold Altman personally accountable. The case keeps escalating Florida did not stop at the original complaint. On September 28, 2026, the state asked the court for a temporary injunction. That motion seeks two things. It would bar OpenAI from developing new models without third-party oversight, an...