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British Columbia has sued OpenAI in the United States over allegations that the company failed to notify authorities about concerning user interactions on “ChatGPT” before the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, according to Reuters.
The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in California on Monday. British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma said the case raised questions about the responsibilities of technology companies when they become aware of credible threats of serious violence.
OpenAI had previously apologised
OpenAI has previously apologised for not alerting law enforcement about the account of Jessie Van Rootselaar before the 18-year-old killed eight people, including six children, in February.
Media reports said OpenAI’s safety team had flagged Van Rootselaar’s “ChatGPT” activity months before the attack because of references to gun violence. The company did not alert local authorities, according to the reports.
In April, OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman apologised to the victims’ families. “I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement,” he wrote in an open letter.
Province seeks disclosure of chats
Families of those killed or injured in the shooting have filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI. The BBC has requested comment from the company on British Columbia’s latest legal action.
“To date, OpenAI has not taken meaningful steps to address the concerns raised by survivors, families and the Tumbler Ridge community,” Sharma said in a statement.
She added that the company still had an opportunity to demonstrate accountability by strengthening safeguards, improving transparency and taking concrete steps to help prevent similar tragedies.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sharma said she had not read the contents of the relevant “ChatGPT” conversations. She said the province had asked OpenAI to disclose them, but the company had refused. CBC quoted her as asking why the chats had not been provided.
Sharma said the lawsuit was filed in California because the alleged decision not to report the account occurred in that state, AFP reported.
She told reporters that any financial damages awarded to the province would be used to rebuild the secondary school.
