# Texas AG Paxton sues OpenAI and Altman over ChatGPT safety claims

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-10-23T12:49:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/texas-ag-files-lawsuit-against-openai-over-deceptive-practices

## Summary

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman in Collin County district court. The complaint, filed on October 23, 2026, alleges that OpenAI marketed ChatGPT as safe and reliable while concealing significant risks. The state cites violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act (DTPA) and the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment Act (SCOPE Act).

The suit highlights a gap between OpenAI's promises and the product's actual behavior, listing alleged harms including inaccurate outputs, addiction risks, and encouragement of self-harm or violence. It also references alleged links to AI-assisted mass shootings and unauthorized data collection. Children are a central focus, with the state claiming the service diminishes critical thinking skills among minors.

Paxton is seeking over $1 million in monetary relief, but the primary goal is injunctive relief to limit minors' access to ChatGPT and establish court oversight for new AI models. The complaint also notes OpenAI's shift from a nonprofit to a commercial entity, citing its valuation growth from approximately $17 billion at ChatGPT's launch to over $1.4 trillion four years later. This case follows similar enforcement actions by other state attorneys general in 2026.

## Key points

- Texas AG Ken Paxton sued OpenAI and Sam Altman on October 23, 2026, in Collin County district court.
- The suit alleges OpenAI hid risks like addiction and self-harm while marketing ChatGPT as safe.
- Texas seeks over $1 million in damages and court oversight for new AI model releases.

## Why it matters

This lawsuit tests if consumer protection laws apply to generative AI. A win for Texas could set a precedent for state-level oversight of AI models and limit access for minors nationwide.

## Sources

1. [Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over ChatGPT safety claims](https://cryptobriefing.com/texas-paxton-sues-openai-sam-altman) (cryptobriefing.com, 2026-10-22)
2. [OpenAI Sued By Texas Attorney General Over Deceptive Practices And AI Chatbot Dangers](https://stocktwits.com/news-articles/markets/equity/open-ai-sued-by-texas-attorney-general-over-deceptive-practices-and-ai-chatbot-dangers/cZxypyxRBU5) (stocktwits.com, 2026-10-23)

Part of the developing story: [State Lawsuits Target OpenAI Safety](https://digestai.news/thread/eight-us-states-sue-openai-over-chatgpt-safety-coreweave-bonds-hit-15-yield) (2 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Texas AG Paxton sues OpenAI and Altman over ChatGPT safety claims", 23 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/texas-ag-files-lawsuit-against-openai-over-deceptive-practices

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