FTC Subpoenas OpenAI and Anthropic Over Consumer Protection Violations

The US Federal Trade Commission sent civil subpoenas to OpenAI and Anthropic on Wednesday, October 15, seeking documents related to safety incidents at both companies, as part of a probe focused on potential consumer protection violations. The action, first reported by Axios, escalates a broader investigation the FTC opened in late September into the safety of AI systems made by the two companies.

Beyond compelling document production, the FTC also plans to require top executives at the AI firms to testify about their products. The subpoenas represent a significant step from investigation to formal legal process, signaling that the agency is prepared to use its authority over unfair and deceptive practices to scrutinize AI consumer harms directly.

The regulatory pressure adds to mounting scrutiny facing OpenAI and Anthropic over the safety practices around their AI models. Increased oversight could influence strategic decisions at both companies and weigh on market confidence in the broader AI sector.