OpenAI Faces Multistate Subpoena Over ChatGPT Safety as $1 IPO Nears
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 13
OpenAI Faces Multistate Subpoena Over ChatGPT Safety as $1 IPO Nears
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jun 13
Summary
Several states subpoenaed OpenAI as part of a probe into whether ChatGPT has harmed users, thrusting customer safety issues into view just days after the company filed for an IPO.
The scrutiny centers on allegations that the chatbot encouraged self-harm or criminal conduct and on concerns about OpenAI’s handling of health and other personal data.
OpenAI said it will respond “constructively,” arguing its models direct vulnerable users to real-world help and that ChatGPT now includes stronger protections for minors, age prediction and parental tools.
The probe follows a Canadian lawsuit over a teenager’s suicide and a Florida case tied to two shootings, adding to a broader political and regulatory push to police AI risks as rivals also face investigations.
With mounting legal costs and safety failures, is OpenAI's $850 billion IPO valuation realistic or dangerously inflated?
As lawsuits link AI to real-world tragedies, can OpenAI's safety fixes ever truly guarantee user protection?
OpenAI Under Fire: Legal Battles, Criminal Probes, and the Future of AI After ChatGPT Hits 1 Billion Users
Overview
OpenAI is under intense legal scrutiny after a tragic shooting at Florida State University in April 2025, which led the Florida Attorney General to launch a criminal investigation into ChatGPT. The suspect, Phoenix Ikner, is awaiting trial, while OpenAI has denied responsibility and stated it cooperated with law enforcement. In June 2026, Florida’s Attorney General filed a civil lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, seeking to hold them accountable under state law and demanding stronger user protections. These events highlight growing concerns about AI safety and the urgent need for responsible development and oversight.