OpenAI is facing an investigation by a coalition of state attorneys general after receiving a subpoena on June 12 seeking documents on its operations and user impact.
The subpoena, issued by New York's attorney general and viewed by the Wall Street Journal, requests information on OpenAI's advertising practices, user engagement and retention strategies, data handling, and health information management. It also seeks details about the company's work with minors and seniors, its deep learning models, policies, and model sycophancy.
An OpenAI spokesperson said the company takes the concerns seriously and plans to engage constructively with the attorneys general. The investigation's trigger remains unclear, though state officials have scrutinized AI firms for child safety issues in the past year.
This development follows other legal pressures on OpenAI, including a Florida criminal probe and a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a parent alleging insufficient safeguards against self-harm discussions with its chatbot.