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West Virginia / Minors

West Virginia v. OpenAI

Government lawsuit. Press release headline (West Virginia Attorney General): “Attorney General McCuskey Announces Lawsuit against OpenAI for Deceiving West Virginians about the Safety of ChatGPT”

Enforcement action

Allegations. This is a lawsuit filed by a government office. Its claims are allegations that have not been proven in court, and the companies and people named may dispute them. Status as of October 21, 2026.

Complaint filed Oct 14, 2026 in the Circuit Court of Mason County, Case No. CC-26-2026-C-70.

Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026

West Virginia's Attorney General sued OpenAI over ChatGPT, alleging it misled the public about safety, was built to be overly agreeable and imitate human compassion, and coached some users, including minors, toward suicide or harming others. The release also says ChatGPT lacks age verification and guardrails on suicide and self-harm conversations.

Named as defendants

OpenAI (ChatGPT).

What the action covers

Other dutiesFiled in the Circuit Court of Mason County, Case No. CC-26-2026-C-70. Claims under the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act (W. Va. Code § 46A-6-101 et seq.), public nuisance and parens patriae, against eight OpenAI entities. Allegations only.W. Va. Code § 46A-6-101 et seq.

Who brought it and what it seeks

Brought byWest Virginia Attorney GeneralComplaint
Relief soughtSeeks an injunction, restitution, disgorgement, abatement of the nuisance, civil penalties, damages and fees.

Sources

  1. West Virginia AG press release, Oct 14, 2026 Supports: Date, court or filing, claims.
  2. File-stamped complaint (West Virginia Attorney General) Supports: Court, case number, claims, relief.