Case florida-ag-v-openaiChatbot harmUnited States
Florida Attorney General sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over concealed ChatGPT risks
Florida filed the first state lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it concealed ChatGPT's risks, suppressed internal safety warnings, and that the product facilitates self-harm and violence.
CriticalHarm caused by AIStatus: OngoingVerified case file
Open in the interactive mapCite this case
- Reported
- Jun 1, 2026
- Location
- United States
- Target
- ChatGPT users in Florida, including minors
- Severity
- Critical
- Triggered by
- OpenAI (ChatGPT); Sam Altman
- Actor type
- AI product design / safeguards
- Sector
- Individuals & consumers
- Reported loss
- None reported
- CVE
- None
What happened
Florida filed the first state lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it concealed ChatGPT's risks, suppressed internal safety warnings, and that the product facilitates self-harm and violence.
Impact: State alleges ongoing harm to Floridians, including self-harm, violence, addiction and cognitive harm. Runs alongside a criminal probe opened in April 2026 over the FSU shooting.
Who triggered it
Actor: OpenAI (ChatGPT); Sam Altman
Attribution: AG James Uthmeier alleges deceptive trade practices, negligence and public nuisance; the complaint cites two shootings and the Enneking suicide.
Motive: None; harm alleged to arise from the product's design and safeguards
How it happened
Attack vector: Mass-market consumer chatbot used by Floridians, including minors, allegedly without meaningful parental oversight.
Root cause: As alleged: speed to market prioritised over safety, suppressed internal warnings, misrepresented safety, addictive design and data collection from minors.
Timeline
- Florida AG opens criminal investigation into ChatGPT's alleged role in FSU shooting (April 2026)
- Florida files civil suit against OpenAI and Altman in state circuit court
Response
OpenAI said its models repeatedly encouraged the individuals to seek real-world support, that it cooperated with law enforcement, and that it keeps strengthening safeguards against misuse.
Current status: Ongoing
Sources (open in a new tab)
- ABC7 (AP) abc7.com
- Decrypt decrypt.co
- NewsChannel 5 (Scripps) newschannel5.com
Cite this case
Florida Attorney General sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over concealed ChatGPT risks. AI Threat Watch, case florida-ag-v-openai, Jun 1, 2026. https://aithreat.io/cases/florida-ag-v-openai/
Permanent link: https://aithreat.io/cases/florida-ag-v-openai/