The Federal Trade Commission issued civil investigative demands to OpenAI and Anthropic regarding consumer protection violations and safety failures. The investigation follows recent AI security incidents and a lawsuit by state attorneys general.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued civil investigative demands to OpenAI and Anthropic as part of an investigation into potential consumer protection violations. The subpoenas, issued on Wednesday, seek documentation regarding security failures, privacy practices, and safeguards designed to prevent AI systems from causing harm, according to an Axios report cited by Yahoo News.
The civil investigative demands, each exceeding 50 pages, request marketing materials and internal documents detailing how the companies communicate their products' capabilities and risks to consumers. The FTC also intends to compel senior AI executives to testify and plans to seek information from third-party AI organizations.
The issuance of these demands does not establish that either company violated federal law. Civil investigative demands allow the FTC to collect evidence before deciding whether to pursue enforcement proceedings or litigation.
OpenAI acknowledged the investigation and stated it would cooperate with regulators. "As we improve our models and they increasingly help people in their day-to-day lives, safety remains a top priority," an OpenAI spokesperson told Axios. "We will engage constructively with the FTC."
The report did not include a response from Anthropic. The investigation follows a series of disclosures that have challenged industry assurances regarding the safe deployment of autonomous AI systems. Last week, President Donald Trump's newly established Super Intelligence Force, co-chaired by FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, announced an industry-wide requirement for companies to immediately report and remediate certain security incidents.
The federal inquiry coincides with mounting legal pressure on OpenAI. On Wednesday, a group of state attorneys general filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the ChatGPT developer, alleging that the company misled users, including children, about the safety of its chatbot. Ars Technica reported that eight states specifically sued OpenAI, arguing that ChatGPT harms children and "reinforces delusions, encourages dangerous behavior, and assists users in planning violence like mass shootings."
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson has emphasized that companies should not release AI products that cannot be operated safely. The commission's authority under federal consumer protection law allows it to investigate potentially unfair or deceptive business practices, including misleading advertising and privacy violations.
This investigation marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration's scrutiny of artificial intelligence companies. It highlights the tension between rapid AI development and consumer protection laws. The outcome could set precedents for how AI firms are held liable for safety incidents and the accuracy of their public statements regarding product risks.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
The day's checked news, by email
One short email a day with the top stories. Free, and you can unsubscribe in one click.
Or follow for the latest news:
No comments yet. Start the discussion.
Microsoft introduced new security features to monitor AI agents, warning that autonomous systems can pose insider risks even without being hacked. The company urges separating intelligence supply from control authority.
The Department of Homeland Security has ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek AI products from IT systems and barred future procurements, citing cybersecurity risks.