Florida Sues OpenAI Over Alleged ChatGPT Harms to Residents
The complaint seeks damages and restrictions on alleged practices involving safety, marketing and minors’ data. OpenAI removed the case to federal court July 2.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued OpenAI, Sam Altman and five related entities over alleged ChatGPT harms to Florida residents, seeking damages and restrictions on the company’s conduct.
The civil complaint, filed June 1 at 9:34:59 a.m. ET (13:34:59 UTC) in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit in Highlands County, accuses OpenAI of concealing risks associated with ChatGPT and failing to provide adequate safeguards.
The defendants are OpenAI Global LLC, OpenAI Foundation, OpenAI OPCO LLC, OpenAI Group PBC, OpenAI Holdings LLC and Altman. Florida is pursuing claims under the state’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and common law.
The complaint asks for damages on behalf of Floridians and court orders ending the alleged practices. It also asks the court to treat the alleged ongoing harm as a public nuisance and restrict the conduct described in the filing.
Florida alleges that ChatGPT has “millions of users” in the state, including “tens of thousands” younger than 13. The complaint also alleges deceptive marketing, inadequate safety measures, collection of minors’ data, behavioral addiction, cognitive harm and dangerous errors.
The allegations have not been established by a court. The lawsuit is a consumer-protection and common-law action rather than a judicial finding that OpenAI violated the law.
“Today, we announced the first-in-the-nation state-led lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman,” Uthmeier said June 1.
The case moved to federal court July 2 after OpenAI removed it under 28 U.S.C. § 1441. Florida has argued that its claims are based on state law.
The lawsuit followed Florida’s April 21 announcement of a criminal investigation into OpenAI. Prosecutors opened the investigation after reviewing chat logs involving Phoenix Ikner, the suspect in the April 17, 2025, Florida State University shooting.
“This criminal investigation will determine whether OpenAI bears criminal responsibility for ChatGPT’s actions in the shooting at Florida State University last year,” Uthmeier said.
