Florida AG Uthmeier announces lawsuit against OpenAI, CEO Sam Altman

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman during a press conference in West Palm Beach on June 1. The complaint, filed in the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida, claims OpenAI knowingly released and promoted ChatGPT to the public—including children—while suppressing internal safety warnings and misleading Floridians about its risks. The lawsuit argues that OpenAI ignored warnings, put children at risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians. It also alleges that ChatGPT collects data from minors without meaningful parental oversight, causes behavioral addiction and cognitive harm, and is prone to dangerous errors that the company has downplayed. The Office of Statewide Prosecution previously launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI on April 21, suggesting ChatGPT may have played a role in the planning of the 2025 Florida State University shooting. FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mike Duffey emphasized the risks of AI mimicking human responses, warning that machines programmed to please cannot replace human boundaries for children. In response, OpenAI released a statement expressing condolences for families affected by tragedies and highlighting its industry-leading protections for minors. The company noted measures such as age prediction tools, default protections for uncertain-age users, and parental monitoring tools. However, the lawsuit claims these efforts are insufficient to address the broader risks posed by ChatGPT. The complaint underscores concerns about AI’s impact on children, including data collection, addiction risks, and potential harm from undetected errors. The case marks a significant legal challenge to OpenAI’s practices and could set a precedent for AI regulation in the U.S.