OpenAI Faces Subpoena Probe From 42 US State Attorneys General Over User Safety

OpenAI received a subpoena from several states as part of a probe into the safety of users of its chatbot as it prepares to offer stock to the public for the first time.

The Associated Press reported that OpenAI said it will respond to the inquiry "constructively" and that it already has in place measures to protect its customers.

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The PBS report said OpenAI has drawn criticism for ChatGPT allegedly offering encouraging words to users thinking of killing themselves or engaging criminal acts, and for how its uses health data and other personal information of its customers.

The probe arrives as OpenAI filed documents with U.S. security regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering, and the PBS story noted that SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday.

In a separate report, Mashable said the Wall Street Journal reported the company received a subpoena on Friday seeking documents related to its business practices and impact on users, including advertising practices, user engagement and retention, and data handling.

AzerNews reported that the subpoena was issued on Friday by the New York Attorney General’s office on behalf of a 42-state bipartisan coalition demanding internal records on marketing tactics, user engagement and retention strategies, and data-handling mechanisms for consumer personal and health data.

In response to the multi-state probe, an OpenAI spokesperson told the media the company would cooperate fully, saying, "We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intend to engage constructively with their offices."

Anadolu Ajansı

Mashable said the Wall Street Journal reported investigators were also asking about model sycophancy, described as chatbots that tell users what they want to hear rather than what's accurate.

Benzinga reported that the subpoena, reportedly issued by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, seeks documents covering advertising practices, user engagement and retention strategies, and the handling of consumer data and health data.

The Anadolu Ajansı report said the documents being subpoenaed cover "including advertising, user engagement and retention, handling of consumer data and health data" and also activities related to minors and seniors, deep learning models, model sycophancy and company policies.

The PBS story said the new probe comes just a few day after OpenAI filed documents with U.S. security regulators for a highly anticipated initial public offering of stock, as governments and regulators debate how to respond to potential good and possible dangerous of AI.

“OpenAI investigated by 42 US State attorneys general over safety and data privacy A powerful coalition of U”

AzerNews

PBS also tied the investigation to a broader legal backdrop, noting that earlier in June the Florida attorney general sued the company after two separate shootings where alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.

Benzinga said the reported investigation came shortly after OpenAI confidentially filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a potential IPO, and it described Florida as the first state to sue OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman alleging they knowingly released an unsafe product despite warnings.

The PBS report said OpenAI stated its models repeatedly encouraged individuals to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals, and that the company said it has cooperated with law enforcement in both shooting cases.

In a separate thread of consequences, the PBS story said a Canadian sued OpenAI blaming the chatbot for her daughter's decision to hang herself, while it also noted that regulators Europe opened investigations into Musk's Grok over antisemitic content and sexualized material, include deepfake nudes.