Tim Griffin sues OpenAI over ChatGPT safety concerns in Little Rock
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in Little Rock on Wednesday. The action challenges whether the technology firm misled consumers about the actual safety of ChatGPT. Griffin announced the legal filing against the company behind the artificial intelligence platform.
The lawsuit alleges OpenAI represented the system as safe. Griffin said the company allegedly knew about significant risks and limitations. The complaint states minors have used the platform to get instructions for self-harm, including suicide.
Users have reportedly bypassed the built-in safety measures. Griffin said these issues raise questions about whether consumers received accurate details. The lawsuit claims the tool generated responses its safeguards were designed to block.
The state accuses OpenAI of violating two key privacy and trade statutes:
- The Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act
- The Children’s and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act
The legal filing also includes claims of negligence and defective design. It alleges the company failed to warn users about potential risks. State officials in Little Rock are seeking clearer disclosures about the risks.
The filing demands restitution for affected consumers along with civil penalties. It seeks to block OpenAI from collecting data from minors. The state also wants to halt certain advanced testing until safeguards exist.
Some local residents say the technology has become an everyday tool. Darshil Desai, a student at Robinson Middle School, uses it for study guides. He also uses the system for practice tests.
“Since people use AI every day now, I mean, I don’t see why they wouldn’t use it for medical stuff,” Desai said. He noted that AI feels like it has taken over.
Local user London Glover said she uses the tool for travel advice. She uses it to look for affordable travel options. Glover questioned how the technology collects or uses personal information.
Glover noticed online advertisements for products she had discussed with her mother. She wondered if her voice was being tracked. Glover said platforms should require age restrictions.
“I definitely think there should be an age restriction on it, some kind of restriction,” Glover said. “Whoever made it should have just created a restriction on it.”
Other state officials filed similar legal actions against the company on Wednesday:
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Nebraska
- West Virginia
- Arizona
- Idaho
- Montana
- Utah
Civil lawsuits typically initiate an exchange of evidence between parties. A state attorney general enforces consumer protection laws for local residents. These filings seek court orders and financial penalties to resolve trade disputes.
Griffin filed the legal action in Little Rock to enforce state protections. The multi-state effort targets technology companies over user safety standards.
