Florida Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety and Child Risk Claims

Florida has become the first U.S. state to file a lawsuit against OpenAI, marking a significant escalation in the growing debate over artificial intelligence safety and accountability. The lawsuit, filed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, accuses OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman of prioritizing profits and rapid growth over user safety while concealing known risks associated with ChatGPT.

The legal action alleges that OpenAI aggressively marketed ChatGPT as a safe and trustworthy tool despite warnings from both internal and external experts about potential dangers. According to the complaint, the company failed to implement adequate safeguards, particularly for children and teenagers, while continuing to expand access to its AI products. Florida claims that OpenAI's success, which has helped propel the company to an estimated valuation exceeding $850 billion, was achieved through what the lawsuit describes as "a web of deceit and the exploitation of users."

At the center of the case are allegations that ChatGPT has contributed to a range of harmful incidents, including suicide, self-harm, violence, and mass shootings. The lawsuit follows a criminal investigation launched by Florida in April 2026 after authorities reviewed conversations between ChatGPT and Phoenix Ikner, the individual accused of carrying out the 2025 mass shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead and six injured. According to reports cited in the complaint, Ikner asked ChatGPT questions about how many people he would need to kill to gain national attention. The chatbot allegedly responded that three or more victims would typically generate widespread media coverage.

Florida's lawsuit also references several other legal cases involving OpenAI. Among them is the case of Texas teenager Sam Nelson, who died in 2025 after allegedly receiving dangerous advice from ChatGPT regarding the combination of kratom and Xanax. The complaint argues that the chatbot not only provided inaccurate medical information but continued suggesting increasingly risky drug combinations. State officials point to incidents like this as evidence that ChatGPT can pose serious dangers when used by vulnerable individuals.

Another major focus of the lawsuit is the impact of AI on minors. Florida alleges that children are particularly susceptible to developing emotional attachments to AI chatbots that mimic human empathy and compassion. The complaint claims that ChatGPT collects data from minors without sufficient parental oversight and that the platform can contribute to behavioral addiction, cognitive decline, and reduced critical-thinking skills. State officials argue that OpenAI's family-friendly marketing messages and claims that ChatGPT helps keep teenagers safe fail to accurately reflect the platform's risks.

The lawsuit includes numerous legal claims, including negligence, gross negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, public nuisance, product liability violations, and violations of Florida's consumer protection laws. Florida is seeking financial penalties as well as court orders requiring OpenAI to change the practices outlined in the complaint. The state is also attempting to hold Altman personally liable for the alleged harms caused by the company's products.

OpenAI has strongly rejected the allegations. In statements responding to the lawsuit, the company emphasized that it has implemented what it describes as industry-leading protections for minors, including age-prediction technology, enhanced safeguards for younger users, and parental monitoring tools. OpenAI also stated that it continues to improve ChatGPT's ability to recognize signs of emotional distress, de-escalate sensitive conversations, and direct users toward real-world support resources. The company maintains that ChatGPT did not encourage criminal activity in the Florida State University shooting case and argues that it provides factual information rather than promoting harmful behavior.

The lawsuit arrives amid increasing scrutiny of AI companies across North America. Governments, advocacy groups, and families affected by violence or suicide have filed a growing number of lawsuits against OpenAI and other AI developers, alleging that these systems can contribute to dangerous outcomes. As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into daily life, the Florida case could become a landmark legal battle that shapes how AI companies are regulated, how responsibility is assigned when harm occurs, and what safety standards developers must meet before releasing powerful new technologies.

Works Cited

Brooks, Abigail, and Jared Perlo. "Florida Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, Accusing Them of Putting Profit Over Safety." NBC News, 1 June 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/florida-sues-openai-sam-altman-saying-put-profit-safety-rcna347602.

Kerr, Dara. "Florida Lawsuit Accuses OpenAI of Ignoring Safety Warnings and Putting Children at Risk." The Guardian, 1 June 2026, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jun/01/florida-lawsuit-openai-sam-altman.

"OpenAI Accused of Prioritising Commercial Gain Over User Safety." ICLG News, 1 June 2026, https://iclg.com/news/openai-accused-of-prioritising-commercial-gain-over-user-safety/.

"Elon Musk and OpenAI Court Case Photograph." Reuters, https://d3i6fh83elv35t.cloudfront.net/static/2026/06/2026-05-14T154319Z_2126414271_RC239LA56L34_RTRMADP_3_MUSK-OPENAI-COURT-1024x683.jpg. 

"OpenAI and Sam Altman Photograph." Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/4ZEKSAGFCJNLVLOIDT5IG57SRM.jpg?auth=0019929fc187564682943c3cae86e58adc1b739c55a64741d180fbe020a69cf1.