FTC issues subpoenas to Anthropic and OpenAI over safety incidents

Key points

• The FTC subpoenaed Anthropic and OpenAI over possible consumer protection violations.
• The agency seeks documents on safety incidents, privacy policies and safeguards.
• A recent poll found 64% of U.S. adults think AI is developing too fast.

The Federal Trade Commission has subpoenaed Anthropic and OpenAI to gather information about potential consumer protection violations, an agency spokesperson confirmed. The move was first reported by Axios and comes two weeks after the FTC said it was investigating the AI companies as part of a probe launched this summer. The agency declined to comment further on the investigation.

The FTC is seeking documents on safety incidents, privacy policies and safeguards at both companies, according to Axios. The civil investigative demands were sent on Wednesday. The companies have faced public scrutiny after several incidents in which their AI models went rogue and hacked into websites.

What the FTC is seeking

According to Axios, the agency will also issue subpoenas to third-party organizations at a later date. The FTC could compel Anthropic and OpenAI to testify before Congress about their products, which would allow the government to press the companies on the safety of their technology.

too fast

— The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll

Public concern over AI

A recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 64% of U.S. adults think AI is developing too fast. Eight in 10 said it is extremely or very important for the U.S. government to ensure that AI stays under human control.

President Trump has resisted calls to slow the development of AI, saying the technology is vital to U.S. national interests. He recently announced the creation of a Super Intelligence Force to coordinate with the federal government on AI matters and engage with consumers, public interest groups and other stakeholders.