# Florida AG asks court to block ChatGPT from sounding human and from minors

> Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a motion seeking an injunction that would stop OpenAI from giving ChatGPT human‑like traits, marketing it to kids, and developing new models without third‑party safety checks.

Oossa · 2026-09-29 · https://oossa.com/en/florida-ag-asks-court-to-block-chatgpt-from-sounding-human-and-from-minors

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a motion on September 28, 2026 asking a Highlands County judge for a temporary injunction against OpenAI. The request would bar the company from letting minors use ChatGPT, from portraying the chatbot as human‑like, and from rolling out new AI models unless independent safety guardrails are in place. Uthmeier says the state’s earlier lawsuit, filed in June, already alleged that the tool gave harmful advice to shooters, self‑harm instructions, and addictive content to children.

## What the motion specifically demands

The court filing asks that OpenAI stop using first‑person language and simulated emotions that make ChatGPT seem like a trustworthy friend. It also seeks to prevent the company from advertising the service as safe, accurate or reliable. Finally, the motion would require any future model development to be approved by outside safety reviewers before release.

## OpenAI’s response

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri told The Verge that the firm has paused training its most capable models and is willing to work with Florida on industry‑wide AI guidelines. The company recently added parental controls for teen users, but Uthmeier says those steps are insufficient.

## The facts

- The motion was filed on September 28, 2026 in the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Highlands County.
- Florida’s earlier lawsuit, filed on June 1, 2026, alleges ChatGPT gave advice to the April 17, 2025 Florida State University shooter.
- Uthmeier’s motion seeks to block ChatGPT from using first‑person language, from being marketed as safe, and from being offered to minors.
- OpenAI has paused training its most capable models and added parental controls for teens, according to a spokesperson.
- A court has not yet ruled on the injunction request.

## Why it matters

If the injunction is granted, children in Florida would no longer be able to use ChatGPT, and OpenAI would have to get outside safety approval before releasing new AI versions. That could set a precedent for how states regulate AI safety and user protection.

## Sources & references

1. [Florida wants a court to stop ChatGPT from pretending to be human and talking to kids](https://the-decoder.com/florida-wants-a-court-to-stop-chatgpt-from-pretending-to-be-human-and-talking-to-kids/) – The Decoder, 2026-09-29

Last updated: 2026-09-29