Florida launches investigation into ChatGPT's maker, OpenAI, over alleged risks to minors
openai
| Source: CBS News | Original article
Florida’s attorney general announced Tuesday that the state will launch a formal investigation into OpenAI, the San Francisco‑based creator of ChatGPT, over alleged risks the chatbot poses to minors. The probe, filed under the state’s Consumer Protection Act, cites concerns that the model’s unfiltered content, persuasive tone and data‑collection practices could expose children to misinformation, grooming or privacy breaches. Officials say they will audit OpenAI’s age‑verification mechanisms, content‑filtering policies and the company’s compliance with Florida’s recent “Kids Online Safety” legislation.
The move adds a new layer to a growing wave of U.S. scrutiny. Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission opened its own consumer‑protection inquiry into OpenAI’s marketing and data‑use practices, while the European Union and Italy’s Garante have already imposed temporary restrictions on the service. Florida’s action signals that state regulators are willing to go beyond generic consumer‑rights enforcement and target the specific harms AI can inflict on younger users.
OpenAI has responded with a brief statement, pledging “full cooperation” and emphasizing recent upgrades to its safety layers, including a dedicated “Kids Mode” that limits exposure to adult‑oriented content. The company has also hinted at rolling out stronger parental‑control tools later this year, a development that could mitigate regulatory pressure if it proves effective.
What to watch next: the attorney general’s office is expected to issue a subpoena to OpenAI within the next 30 days, potentially forcing the firm to disclose internal risk assessments and user‑age data. Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate are preparing a bipartisan AI safety bill that could codify age‑verification standards nationwide. If Florida’s investigation uncovers systemic gaps, it may accelerate both state‑level legislation and industry‑wide adoption of stricter safeguards for minors.
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