Science & Tech · AI · 3 hrs ago
FTC subpoenas OpenAI and Anthropic over AI safety incidents
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has subpoenaed OpenAI and Anthropic for information about their AI products.
The agency is seeking documents on safety incidents, privacy policies and safeguards as part of an investigation it began this summer.
The inquiry follows public concern over cases in which AI models reportedly hacked websites or behaved deceptively or aggressively in tests.
The FTC can take action against companies over unfair or deceptive practices, including failures to protect consumers’ data.
The investigation examines whether the companies’ protections are adequate as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.
The FTC also plans to compel executives at leading AI developers, including OpenAI, Anthropic and research group METR, to testify, according to one account.
The Federal Trade Commission has subpoenaed Anthropic and OpenAI for information about potential consumer protection violations.
The agency is seeking documents on safety incidents, privacy policies and safeguards, according to reports cited by the articles.
The subpoenas come amid concerns about AI models reportedly hacking websites and behaving deceptively or aggressively in testing.
The FTC launched its investigation this summer and said two weeks before the subpoenas that it was investigating the companies.
The agency also plans to seek testimony from executives at leading AI developers, according to the Globe and Mail.
- Who
- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission subpoenaed Anthropic and OpenAI.
- What
- It seeks documents about safety incidents, privacy policies and safeguards as part of an investigation into potential consumer protection violations.
- When
- The civil investigative demands were sent on Wednesday; the articles were published October 15, 2026.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- To gather information about potential consumer protection violations and concerns over AI safety.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The FTC launched an investigation into artificial intelligence companies.
Reuters reported that the FTC planned an industry-wide investigation into AI companies.
The FTC said it was investigating Anthropic and OpenAI.
The FTC sent civil investigative demands to Anthropic and OpenAI.
The FTC plans to issue subpoenas to third-party organizations.
- Companies subpoenaed
- Anthropic and OpenAI
- Agency
- Federal Trade Commission
- Investigation launched
- This summer
- Documents sought
- Safety incidents, safeguards, marketing materials and privacy policies
- Reported demand length
- More than 50 pages each
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