Texas sues OpenAI and Sam Altman, seeking to bar minors from ChatGPT in the state
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging ChatGPT was marketed as safe while harming Texans; OpenAI says AI rules should cover the whole industry.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued OpenAI and its chief executive, Sam Altman, on Friday 23 October in Collin County district court, alleging the company deceived and harmed Texans. Politico reported the suit alleges OpenAI misled consumers about the safety of ChatGPT and failed to protect users from harm. The claims are allegations and have not been tested in court.Sources:1The Texas Tribune: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, The Texas Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2Yahoo News: Texas sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over product safety, Yahoo News, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)
The suit invokes the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. In a press release, Paxton's office alleged that ChatGPT aided mass shooters, encouraged vulnerable people towards suicide and left minors addicted to a tool that collects their data without parental oversight. Courthouse News, as cited by Hoodline, reported the 67-page filing cites at least eight cases in which people who went on to commit violent acts had consulted ChatGPT.Sources:1The Texas Tribune: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, The Texas Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3Hoodline: Texas AG Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety Claims, Hoodline, 24 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)4Bloomberg Law: Texas Sues OpenAI, Altman Over User Deception, Child Safety, Bloomberg Law, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)
The state asks for an injunction that would block minors from ChatGPT and require a court-appointed independent evaluator to approve new OpenAI models before they reach Texas users. It also seeks civil penalties of $10,000 per violation of the consumer-protection law and the surrender of profits.Sources:1The Texas Tribune: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, The Texas Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2Yahoo News: Texas sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over product safety, Yahoo News, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)3Hoodline: Texas AG Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety Claims, Hoodline, 24 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)
An OpenAI spokesperson said the company has worked with experts to mitigate risks and build additional safeguards, adding: "Governments have an important role to play in setting robust safety standards for AI, and we're committed to working with Texas and other states on advancing pragmatic AI policies that apply to the entire AI industry, not just one company."Sources:1The Texas Tribune: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, The Texas Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2Yahoo News: Texas sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over product safety, Yahoo News, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)
Paxton is running for the US Senate. The Texas Tribune reported that Elon Musk, who started xAI after leaving OpenAI amid a conflict with Altman, is the largest single donor behind Paxton's campaign. Politico reported the Texas suit follows lawsuits filed the previous week by bipartisan attorneys general in eight states; Paxton's office has also sued or settled with Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and Roblox over safeguards for users, especially children.Sources:1The Texas Tribune: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI, The Texas Tribune, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)2Yahoo News: Texas sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over product safety, Yahoo News, 23 October 2026 (source, opens in a new tab)
How others covered it
2 favour Texas Attorney General, 3 balanced, 1 not analysed. Sides in this story: Texas Attorney General vs OpenAI. Our reading of each article; how we decide.
Favours Texas Attorney General
- Just The NewsTexas AG Ken Paxton sues OpenAI for lying to users, harming state residents
Why
- States a claim as fact: "sues OpenAI for lying to users, harming state residents" The headline states the AG's unproven claim of lying as the reason for the suit, not as an allegation.
- Leaves out the other side: "Texas AG Ken Paxton sues OpenAI for lying to users" The article has no OpenAI response, though the Texas Tribune and Politico carried OpenAI's statement the same day.
- The Gateway PunditTexas AG Ken Paxton Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for Lying to Users and Harming Texans Including Children
Why
- States a claim as fact: "The great Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued OPenAI and Sam Altman on Friday for lying to and misleading Texans" Praises the plaintiff ('The great') and states the lying claim as fact.
- Uses one side's terms: "Sues OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for Lying to Users and Harming Texans Including Children" The headline presents the allegations as fact, and the article includes no OpenAI response.
Balanced
- The Texas TribuneTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAICEO Sam Altman and ChatGPT are top competitors to Elon Musk, the tech billionaire fueling Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign.
Why
- "Governments have an important role to play in setting robust safety standards for AI" Carries OpenAI's statement alongside Paxton's press-release allegations, and the body says 'allegedly'. The standfirst adds the Musk-donor context, but that is only one signal.
- HoodlineTexas AG Sues OpenAI Over ChatGPT Safety ClaimsKen Paxton sued OpenAI and Sam Altman in Collin County, alleging ChatGPT harmed Texans, including minors and vulnerable users.
Why
- "Accounts differ on how OpenAI has responded to the suit." Attributes the claims to Paxton ('alleging') and addresses OpenAI's response.
- Yahoo NewsTexas sues OpenAI, Sam Altman over product safetyThe state’s attorney general in court documents alleges OpenAI falsely marketed ChatGPT as safe and that it has harmed Texans, including children.
Why
- "we're committed to working with Texas and other states on advancing pragmatic AI policies" Quotes OpenAI spokesperson Jason Deutrom; the state's claims are attributed with 'alleges'.
Not analysed
- Bloomberg LawControlled by Michael Bloomberg (owner), former mayor of New York City and 2020 Democratic presidential candidateTexas Sues OpenAI, Altman Over User Deception, Child Safety
Where it happened
Who is involved
- Ken PaxtonFiled the lawsuit against OpenAI and AltmanAttorney General of Texas
- Texas Attorney GeneralPlaintiff on behalf of the stateTexas's chief legal office
- OpenAIDefendant; says AI safety rules should apply industry-wideUS artificial intelligence company, maker of ChatGPT
- Sam AltmanNamed as a defendantChief executive of OpenAI
- Elon MuskLargest single donor to Paxton's Senate campaign, per the Texas TribuneCEO of Tesla
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Topics
Sources
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Cited: The Texas Tribune, Yahoo News, Hoodline, Bloomberg Law. Who these outlets are.