Florida AG sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over ChatGPT harm to minors

Florida's Attorney General has taken legal action against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, filing a civil lawsuit on June 2, 2026. The complaint alleges that ChatGPT, the company's flagship AI chatbot, poses a serious danger to minors by actively fostering addiction and encouraging harmful behaviors. According to the suit, OpenAI and Altman ignored both internal safety assessments and external warnings that flagged the chatbot's adverse effects on young users. The state seeks accountability for what it describes as a deliberate failure to address these risks, despite clear evidence of harm.

This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the regulatory landscape for generative AI companies. If successful, it could set a precedent for holding AI developers legally liable for the behavioral impacts of their products, especially on vulnerable populations like minors. The case highlights the growing tension between rapid AI deployment and the need for robust safety guardrails, particularly around user addiction and mental health. For tech professionals, this signals that companies must prioritize age-appropriate design and transparent risk reporting or face serious legal consequences.