The Canada Brief

Tech · 19 d ago

A smartphone showing the ChatGPT app

Jernej Furman from Slovenia · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Eight US states sue OpenAI, saying ChatGPT harms children

US states suing OpenAI

8 states

Iowa, Kansas, Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas and Idaho filed separate lawsuits on Wednesday under their consumer protection laws. They seek damages and changes to how ChatGPT works for young users.

“OpenAI claims ChatGPT is safe while it’s giving dangerous medical advice, encouraging people to hurt others, and coaching people to commit suicide – all while pretending to be their fake friend.”

— Brenna Bird, Iowa attorney general

OpenAI says it has built age-specific protections into ChatGPT and will keep adding safeguards. The app is meant for users 13 and older, and those under 18 need a parent's permission.

And us?

Tumbler Ridge

Canada

In Canada, the families of 37 victims of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting have also sued OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT induced the shooter to carry out the attack.