Iowa and Other State AGs Sue OpenAI Over ChatGPT Child Safety Risks

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird Sues OpenAI Over Child Safety

OpenAI is hurting kids and they are lying to Iowans, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird declared Wednesday at the Iowa Statehouse, announcing a lawsuit that alleges the artificial intelligence company misled parents about ChatGPT and exposed children to harmful content.

Iowa filed a lawsuit in Iowa district court on Wednesday targeting OpenAI for marketing and design practices that state officials say violate the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. The petition alleges that ChatGPT fails to disclose risks of promoting self-harm, fostering compulsive use, and coaching children on how to inflict violence. KCCI reported that attorneys general from Kansas, Nebraska, and West Virginia traveled to Des Moines to join Bird in announcing separate, state-level lawsuits against the creator of ChatGPT.

Bipartisan State Coordination and Allegations of Harm

The legal action represents a coordinated multi-state effort involving Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, and Montana, according to Bird. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach drove three and a half hours, and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers drove two and a half hours, to appear alongside Bird and West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey at the state capitol.

Kobach told reporters that waiting for Congress to pass federal legislation would be foolish. He noted that federal lawmakers have deliberated on artificial intelligence for more than a year without passing most of the roughly 150 bills submitted.

The state petitions cite allegations from research, news reports, and other lawsuits. According to the Iowa Attorney General’s office, the complaints include instances where ChatGPT provided minors with suicide methods, offered instructions for self-harm, and advised a teenager on a drug combination that led to his death. McCuskey stated during the press conference that while AI holds promise for energy development and medicine, it cannot be allowed to harm children in real time.

Demands for Civil Penalties and Strict Data Restrictions

Iowa’s lawsuit asks a judge to declare OpenAI’s safety practices unlawful and to prohibit the company from making misleading statements regarding ChatGPT capabilities. The state seeks civil penalties of up to $40,000 for each violation of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, with higher penalties for violations involving older residents.

Additionally, the state is asking the court to order OpenAI to:

• Delete and destroy data previously collected from Iowans.
• Reimburse Iowa customers and surrender revenue tied to alleged unlawful practices.
• Implement strict age-verification procedures and clear disclosures before collecting sensitive information.

Bird stated that significant operational changes will be necessary if OpenAI intends to make its products safe for minors. OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment from KCCI regarding the litigation.