OpenAI faces a new regulatory challenge after a group of state attorneys requested a wide range of documents on how ChatGPT’ protects the people who use it; This move came at a sensitive time as it formed the basis for a potential public listing for the company.
The investigation, which comes a few days after OpenAI’ submitted confidential documents for the public offering, threatens to complicate the listing, which some analysts expect will value the ChatGPT maker at around $1 trillion (€861 billion).
According to The Wall Street Journal ’, which reported the matter for the first time, OpenAI received a subpoena from a group of states on Friday following an investigation by the New York attorney general.
Authorities are requesting materials that cover the company's advertising practices, how people continue to use its services, how consumer and health data is handled, and its policies for minors and older adults.
OpenAI said it would contact the offices behind the request, emphasizing that the protections are already integrated into its product.
A spokesperson said the company received “ciddiye” in response to concerns raised by the attorney general and is working to responsibly bring the benefits of the technology to people. However, the firm has not confirmed which other U.S. states will participate.
Increasing legal pressure
The subpoena adds to the growing list of legal issues.
Last Thursday, a Canadian woman sued OpenAI’, blaming ChatGPT’ for her daughter's suicide. In early June, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against the company and CEO Sam Altman following two shootings in which alleged attackers reportedly used the chatbot ’ to plan their crimes.
OpenAI said its models have repeatedly encouraged individuals to seek help from mental health professionals and cooperate with police in both cases.
These aren't the first courtroom tests of the year for OpenAI.
In May, a federal jury in Oakland’, California, took less than two hours to dismiss Elon Musk ’'s lawsuit accusing Altman’ of giving up the firm's nonprofit roots, finding that he filed too late. Musk, who called the decision “takvim technical error”, said he would appeal.
The restriction also extends across the industry.
European organizers have launched an investigation into Musk’'s rival chatbot Grok for antisemitic and sexualized content, including deep fake images.
Anthropic’e, who is also in preparation for an IPO, was told by the Trump administration to restrict its two models abroad on grounds of national security; This shows how AI management has become an increasingly worrying political battlefield.
