U.S. State Attorneys General Launch Investigation into OpenAI

Attorneys general from several U.S. states have launched an investigation into OpenAI, the developer of artificial intelligence models, including ChatGPT. According to sources, the New York Attorney General was the first to issue a request for documents. The inquiry covers advertising practices, user retention, processing of personal and medical data, as well as the protection of minors and elderly users.

OpenAI representatives confirmed receiving the request and expressed their readiness for constructive dialogue with regulators. The company emphasized that ChatGPT includes additional safety measures for minors, such as parental control tools and a ban on targeted advertising for children. Mechanisms are also in place to redirect users in difficult situations to verified resources and contacts.

The investigation comes amid other legal challenges for OpenAI. Earlier, the company successfully defended itself in court against co-founder Elon Musk but continues to face lawsuits related to copyright infringement and potential risks to users. Notably, Florida’s attorney general accused OpenAI of ignoring safety warnings and allowing millions of state residents, including children, access to the platform.

This week, OpenAI filed a confidential application for an initial public offering (IPO), which could mark a significant milestone in the company’s development. However, incidents related to safety, such as failing to act after blocking an account linked to an alleged criminal, have raised further questions among regulators and the public.