Florida Attorney General’s Legal Action
Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has requested a Highlands County judge to enforce temporary restrictions on OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. This action is part of an ongoing lawsuit over AI safety concerns related to ChatGPT, filed under the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Florida on September 28, 2026.
Uthmeier’s appeal seeks to halt the development of new AI models by OpenAI without independent third-party safety approval. The motion also aims to restrict minors in Florida from accessing ChatGPT, emphasizing the potential risks associated with the platform.
Proposed Injunction Details
The proposed court order would impose strict limitations on OpenAI. It seeks to prevent the company from attributing human-like qualities to ChatGPT and from collecting personal data from children under 13 without adequate protections. Moreover, the injunction demands transparent warnings about potential risks associated with the service.
This legal move comes after the state’s civil complaint against OpenAI on June 1, which cited violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The allegations also include claims of negligence, defective design, and public nuisance, although none have been proven in court.
Concerns Over AI’s Impact on Minors
State attorneys argue that ChatGPT’s capability to simulate human conversation can lead to extended use and emotional dependency, particularly among younger users. They also claim the platform has improperly collected sensitive data, including location and health information, from minors.
The motion highlights the need for external evaluations to ensure AI models are scrutinized for potential risks such as unauthorized data use and content safety failures before further development.
OpenAI’s Response and Legal Proceedings
OpenAI has proactively introduced a ChatGPT version for teenagers, featuring enhanced protections and parental controls. However, Florida argues these measures are insufficient in safeguarding minors’ data and preventing their engagement with the platform.
The case, which briefly moved to federal court, has been remanded to the Highlands County circuit court. Here, future hearings will address the emergency injunction request, shedding light on the growing demand for enforceable AI controls.
As this legal battle unfolds, it signals a shift towards more stringent AI governance, emphasizing the importance of third-party safety assessments in AI deployment.
