Summary
- The state of Florida has initiated a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, claiming that the firm has misled users about the safety and risks associated with ChatGPT.
- According to the state, ChatGPT poses risks of self-harm, violence, addiction, and various other dangers, especially for young users.
- Florida is pursuing damages, seeking mandated changes to the platform, and holding Altman personally accountable.
On Monday, Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit that he describes as “the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit” against OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman. The allegations include misleading consumers about the safety of ChatGPT, particularly regarding its risks to children.
This legal action represents one of the most assertive measures taken against a prominent AI firm and follows an investigation launched by Florida's attorney general's office into OpenAI back in April.
Uthmeier stated during a press conference, "We have filed a significant civil lawsuit against Sam Altman and ChatGPT for jeopardizing our children and misleading parents into thinking this application is safe to use. It is clearly not safe.”
Today, we announced the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman.
OpenAI and Altman overlooked both internal and external safety warnings, putting children in significant danger by allowing a hazardous product to reach millions of Floridians.… pic.twitter.com/bZYhWDYdCU
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) June 1, 2026
The lawsuit, filed in Florida state court, claims that OpenAI misrepresented ChatGPT as safe for users while exposing them to dangers like self-harm, violence, addiction, cognitive decline, and misinformation. Florida is seeking financial damages, injunctive relief, and personal liability for Altman.
Uthmeier criticized, "Sam Altman and ChatGPT have prioritized the AI race over the safety and security of our children. They have opted for profit over public safety, and we will not tolerate this in Florida.”
This lawsuit is part of a broader context of ongoing investigations and legal actions related to ChatGPT. Recently, OpenAI and Sam Altman faced a lawsuit in California from the family of a 19-year-old who died from an accidental overdose, with claims that ChatGPT encouraged unsafe drug use and offered advice on mixing substances.
Uthmeier also revealed that investigators found that the shooter from Florida State University had consulted the chatbot about firearms, ammunition, timing, and campus locations prior to the incident. Moreover, he referenced another case involving a USF kidnapping and murder, where a suspect allegedly inquired with ChatGPT about how to dispose of bodies, as well as other incidents related to self-harm, suicide attempts, and child pornography.
In May, OpenAI announced updates to ChatGPT aimed at better recognizing signs of suicide, self-harm, and potential violence by analyzing conversations over time instead of just individual messages. This update followed a lawsuit against OpenAI concerning a mass shooting in British Columbia in February.
The complaint from the Florida Attorney General also highlights OpenAI's evolution from a nonprofit established in 2015 to a company now valued at over $850 billion. OpenAI recently revealed its valuation of $852 billion after raising $122 billion, driven by increasing demand for ChatGPT and AI services, along with plans for an initial public offering later this year.
“This success has not been rightfully earned; OpenAI's rise is linked to a web of deception and the exploitation of users (including those in Florida), leveraging their data and safety to enhance OpenAI’s market value at unacceptable costs,” the lawsuit asserts.