State Attorneys General Open Investigation Into OpenAI Practices

A coalition of state attorneys general has opened an investigation into OpenAI and issued a subpoena for documents on the company's data practices, safety measures, and the effects of its artificial intelligence products on consumers. The subpoena requests records covering advertising practices, user engagement strategies, consumer and health data handling, activities involving minors and seniors, deep-learning models, and internal policies on AI sycophancy.

OpenAI stated that the coalition is examining a wide range of its practices, including handling of user data, safety of minors, and advertising activities. It is not yet clear which states are participating. A company spokesperson said OpenAI takes concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intends to engage constructively with their inquiries.

The subpoena was issued as OpenAI prepares for a potential initial public offering. Earlier this month, Florida became the first state to sue OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging they knowingly released an unsafe product despite warnings about potential risks.

In April, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier opened a criminal investigation into OpenAI over ChatGPT's alleged role in assisting a suspect involved in a mass shooting at Florida State University. Authorities claim the suspect used the chatbot as a confidant while planning the attack.

OpenAI is not alone in attracting attention from state regulators. California Attorney General Rob Bonta also announced an investigation earlier this year into sexually explicit images allegedly generated using xAI's Grok chatbot. 's Google and SpaceX's xAI, urging stronger safeguards for vulnerable users and warning developers could face accountability for harmful chatbot outputs.

“The company takes concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intends to engage constructively with their inquiries.”