A series of lawsuits filed in the US against OpenAI over child safety in ChatGPT
Attorneys general of eight US states have filed lawsuits against OpenAI, accusing the developer of ChatGPT of insufficient protection for underage users and misleading consumers about the safety of artificial intelligence. The plaintiffs demand changes to the chatbot's operation, introduction of additional restrictions, and financial penalties from the company.
This was reported by The Guardian, citing court documents and statements from the state attorneys general.
The lawsuits were filed on October 14 by Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and West Virginia. Each state filed in its own court, but the actions of the attorneys general were coordinated.
The lawsuits allege that OpenAI presented ChatGPT as a safe product, although its features could pose risks to children and other vulnerable users.
In particular, the prosecutions accuse the company of developing mechanisms that encourage people to spend more time in the chatbot. According to the plaintiffs, ChatGPT excessively agrees with users, imitates emotional support, and may contribute to the formation of unhealthy psychological dependence.
Some claims concern the dangerous responses of the artificial intelligence. The attorneys general claim that in some cases ChatGPT could support self-harm behavior, reinforce false beliefs of users, or provide dangerous medical advice.
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird accused OpenAI of violating state consumer protection laws. According to her, the company assured parents of its product's safety, although they did not receive complete information about possible risks.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes also claims that the developer of ChatGPT used the features of interaction with users to increase their engagement and collect personal data.
According to the Arizona prosecutor's version, the chatbot could encourage minors to share personal information and in some cases reduce their willingness to discuss problems with parents or relatives.
The plaintiffs are seeking not only financial penalties but also changes in ChatGPT's operation. Among the demands are strengthening protection for minors, restricting dangerous features, and ceasing practices that the states consider misleading to consumers.
Additionally, the lawsuits raise the issue of safety of advanced artificial intelligence models. The attorneys general demand restricting the development of systems capable of self-improvement until the company demonstrates an appropriate level of control over their operation.
As The Guardian notes, this is the first coordinated legal campaign by multiple American states against a developer of artificial intelligence on such a scale.
OpenAI rejects the claims of insufficient user protection. Company spokesperson Drew Pusateri said that ChatGPT already has special safety mechanisms for various age groups, including parental controls, reminders about breaks, and additional restrictions for minors.
The company acknowledges that no security system is perfect, but emphasizes continuous improvement of protective mechanisms. OpenAI also stated its readiness to cooperate with American states on regulations for artificial intelligence that will apply to the entire industry.
So far, the courts have not established any violations on the part of OpenAI. The filed lawsuits only initiate the consideration of claims, and the demands for fines and product changes have yet to receive judicial assessment.
The legal processes increase regulatory risks for the company and may affect future requirements for developers of conversational AI systems, especially regarding child protection, personal data processing, and safe interaction with users.
Source: Iowa Attorney General's Office, Arizona Attorney General's Office, The Guardian
