OpenAI Faces State Subpoena on Chatbot Safety While Preparing IPO
Several states issued a subpoena to OpenAI as part of a probe into user safety. The inquiry comes days after the company filed documents for its first public stock offering.
news.google.comOpenAI received a subpoena from several states as part of a probe into the safety of users of its chatbot. S. securities regulators for an initial public offering of stock a few days before June 13, 2026.
OpenAI stated that it takes the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously. On Thursday, June 11, 2026, OpenAI was sued by a Canadian blaming the chatbot for her daughter's decision to hang herself. Earlier in June 2026, the Florida attorney general sued OpenAI after two separate shootings where alleged gunmen were reported to have asked ChatGPT questions while planning their crimes.
OpenAI stated that its models repeatedly encouraged the individuals in the Florida shooting cases to seek real-world support, including from mental health professionals. The company also stated that it has cooperated with law enforcement in both Florida shooting cases.
OpenAI stated that today’s ChatGPT includes a more protective experience for minors and people experiencing difficult situations, with safeguards that direct them to real-world resources and trusted human contacts.
The company stated it built age prediction, released parental tools to guide children’s use of AI, and disallowed advertising that targets kids. ” SpaceX celebrated its own IPO on Friday, June 12, 2026. SpaceX runs an AI business responsible for a rival chatbot called Grok.
The OpenAI subpoena was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal. The Associated Press sent emails to a dozen state attorneys general Saturday asking for details of the probe but has not received any responses.
