Ethics and safety·October 18, 2026, 20:33

Arkansas sues OpenAI, claiming it misled the public about ChatGPT's safety

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The state of Arkansas has sued OpenAI, alleging the company presented ChatGPT as safe even though it knew of serious risks. According to the available sources, the case is one of several that US states have filed against the company.

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The US state of Arkansas has sued OpenAI, the company behind the ChatGPT chatbot. The case was filed in a court in Faulkner County. According to The Next Web, the complaint runs to 73 pages and names eight OpenAI entities. The source states that the complaint was filed on Wednesday, which corresponds to October 14, 2026.

What the state alleges

In the complaint, Arkansas claims that OpenAI presented ChatGPT to users as safe even though the company knew of serious risks. The risks cited include encouraging suicide and self-harm, reinforcing delusions, dangerous medical advice and helping plan violence.

The state also argues that OpenAI does not adequately protect children's data. The case is based on two state laws: the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin says, according to The Next Web, that OpenAI presented ChatGPT to Arkansans as safe but knew of serious risks.

All of these points are the state's allegations. No court has ruled on them.

What the state is seeking

Arkansas is seeking DKK 10,000 per violation and an additional DKK 10,000 for each violation affecting seniors or people with disabilities. The state also demands refunds for users and the payment of damages.

The state also plans to ask the court to ban testing of advanced AI models without external safety oversight. It also wants models that improve themselves to be banned until it is proven that they are aligned with human values. A jury trial has been requested.

OpenAI responds

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri says, according to The Next Web, that no system can be perfect, but that the company will work with experts and build safeguards, including parental controls and age protection.

Several states at once

Arkansas is not alone. Seven other states have filed their own lawsuits against OpenAI at the same time: Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and West Virginia. According to The Next Web, Florida filed a case earlier, in June 2026.

Scripps News Group reports that the eight cases allegedly concern misleading parents and harming children, and that they seek fines and court-ordered safeguards. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador believes, according to Scripps, that ChatGPT has encouraged users to commit suicide or harm others.

In connection with the Florida case, OpenAI has previously responded that the company has introduced industry-leading protections and policies.