OpenAI Faces Multi-State Investigation Into Data and Safety

OpenAI is facing a new investigation from a coalition of state attorneys general, marking the latest regulatory challenge for the artificial intelligence company. According to The Wall Street Journal, the New York attorney general served the company with a subpoena seeking a wide range of internal documents. While the exact list of states involved remains undisclosed, the scope of the inquiry covers several critical areas of the company’s operations.

Scope of the Investigation

The subpoena issued to OpenAI requests information regarding the company’s advertising policies, user engagement and retention metrics, and the phenomenon of model sycophancy. Furthermore, investigators are looking into how the company handles consumer and health data, as well as its specific policies regarding the treatment of minors and seniors.
In response to the inquiry, an OpenAI spokesperson stated that the company takes the concerns raised by the attorneys general seriously and intends to engage constructively with their offices. The spokesperson emphasized that OpenAI is committed to bringing the benefits of AI to people in a responsible way. Regarding the protection of vulnerable users, the company noted that ChatGPT includes safeguards for minors and individuals in difficult situations, such as age prediction tools, parental controls, and policies that disallow advertising targeting children.

A Growing Legal Landscape

This investigation adds to a mounting list of legal hurdles for OpenAI. The company is currently navigating lawsuits involving allegations of copyright infringement and claims regarding ChatGPT’s role in user suicides. Earlier in June, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman. That complaint alleges that the company ignored safety warnings and put children at risk by allowing a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.
Beyond these regulatory and legal battles, the company has faced scrutiny regarding its safety protocols. CEO Sam Altman apologized to the community of Tumbler Ridge, Canada, following a mass shooting, acknowledging that OpenAI failed to alert law enforcement after the company had flagged and banned the ChatGPT account belonging to the suspected shooter.
These developments occur as OpenAI continues to navigate high-profile disputes. The company recently defeated co-founder Elon Musk in a trial concerning his accusations that OpenAI violated its founding agreement, though Musk’s lead attorney has indicated plans to appeal the decision. Amid these legal and regulatory pressures, the company has filed confidentially to go public.