Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials HomeInformation TechnologyNewsB.C. eyes legal action against OpenAI in wake of mass shooting'We have a zero-tolerance policy for using our tools to assist in committing violence' an OpenAI spokesperson saidAuthor of the article:Last updated Jul 08, 2026 You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.OpenAI flagged Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 — several months before the shooting — by systems that check for misuse, including potential violent activity. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty ImagesBritish Columbia is exploring legal action against OpenAI for its failure to alert authorities to threats made on ChatGPT before the February mass shooting in the town of Tumbler Ridge.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Accountor“We will pursue every available avenue to hold OpenAI and its decision-makers accountable,” Niki Sharma, B.C.’s attorney general, said in a statement Tuesday. “We are taking this step because there are serious concerns about OpenAI’s failure to notify law enforcement after threats were flagged on its platform.”OpenAI and chief executive Sam Altman already face separate lawsuits from victims of the shooting and their families.Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againPolice alleged that Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, killed eight people and injured 27 before taking her own life in one of Canada’s worst mass shootings.OpenAI flagged Van Rootselaar’s ChatGPT account in June 2025 — several months before the shooting — by systems that check for misuse, including potential violent activity. The company banned the account, but said it did not meet the threshold for referral to law enforcement at the time. After the shooting, the company contacted Canadian authorities.In February, OpenAI told Canadian lawmakers that, under newly updated company rules, it would have told police about the account earlier. Altman also apologized to the Tumbler Ridge community in a letter in April.“The events in Tumbler Ridge are a tragedy. We have a zero-tolerance policy for using our tools to assist in committing violence,” OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri said in an email, citing its enhanced referral protocol.B.C. has retained lawyers locally and in California. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.