8 states sue OpenAI, saying ChatGPT harms kids. Here are their demands.

OpenAI is facing a new legal offensive from eight states whose attorneys general allege that ChatGPT has encouraged some users, including teenagers, to hurt themselves or others.

The states — Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and West Virginia — also accused OpenAI of misleading consumers about ChatGPT’s safety and demanded a range of restrictions, from limits on testing of advanced models to the deletion of user data.

Attorney General Kris Mayes of Arizona alleges OpenAI used excessive agreement and simulated compassion to win user trust and collect personal data.

"OpenAI put Arizonans safety at risk by failing to implement adequate user protections or transparency measures," Mayes added.

Attorney General Tim Griffin of Arkansas alleges OpenAI concealed known risks while assuring consumers that ChatGPT was safe, and unlawfully collected teens’ personal information.

The state is seeking financial penalties and an injunction against collecting data from teens. Arkansas also wants to halt further advanced AI testing and the creation of models capable of recursive self-improvement, until adequate safeguards are in place.

Raúl Labrador, the attorney general of Idaho, alleges OpenAI misled consumers about ChatGPT’s safety while encouraging self-harm and violence, reinforcing delusions, and offering dangerous medical advice.

In its complaint, Idaho seeks $5,000 per consumer protection violation and court-ordered safeguards, including age verification and limits on harmful or addictive features. The lawsuit also seeks to restrict advanced AI testing and deployment to secure, independently verified environments.

Iowa alleges that OpenAI misled consumers about ChatGPT’s safety and concealed risks associated with autonomous AI agents.

Iowa is also asking the court to halt further testing of advanced AI models until safeguards are independently verified to not be posing a danger to the public and until third-party monitors have verified the same

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach said that OpenAI deceived consumers about ChatGPT’s safety and designed features that encourage compulsive use.

Kansas is seeking $10,000 per consumer protection violation and $20,000 per violation involving a protected consumer. It also wants restitution of funds acquired from Kansas consumers and a permanent injunction against deceptive and unconscionable practices.