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British Columbia sues OpenAI for failing to alert police

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 6:06 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

British Columbia has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for not notifying police about ChatGPT threats.
OpenAI’s safety team flagged 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar’s gun-violence chats in June 2025 but failed to alert authorities.
The February 10, 2026 Tumbler Ridge school shooting killed eight people, including six children, and injured over two dozen.
British Columbia seeks damages and an injunction to force OpenAI to change threat-reporting practices.

History

Historical Context

February 2016 the FBI obtained a court order under the 1789 All Writs Act demanding Apple create software to unlock the iPhone 5C used by a San Bernardino shooter. Apple’s refusal, after at least 11 similar orders, drew amicus briefs and revived the Crypto Wars debate over encryption. The dispute is now cited as precedent as British Columbia sues OpenAI after CEO Sam Altman ignored a June 2025 safety alert.

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Story summary

British Columbia has sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for not notifying police about ChatGPT threats.
OpenAI’s safety team flagged 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar’s gun-violence chats in June 2025 but failed to alert authorities.
The February 10, 2026 Tumbler Ridge school shooting killed eight people, including six children, and injured over two dozen.
British Columbia seeks damages and an injunction to force OpenAI to change threat-reporting practices.

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