OpenAI subpoenaed by state attorneys general over AI safety and data practices
The artificial intelligence firm faces mounting regulatory scrutiny as it prepares for a public listing, with investigators probing its handling of sensitive data and safeguards for vulnerable users.
OpenAI has received a subpoena from a coalition of state attorneys general, led by New York, seeking extensive documentation regarding its advertising practices, user engagement metrics, data handling protocols, and specific policies concerning minors and seniors. The Wall Street Journal reported that the subpoena was received on Friday, June 12, and the publication viewed the document sent by the New York attorney general’s office.
According to the subpoena, regulators are requesting information on the company’s deep learning models and their tendency towards “sycophancy,” a technical term describing the propensity of AI systems to agree with users. The inquiry also covers how the firm manages user data and health information, as well as its internal policies governing interactions with vulnerable demographics.
An OpenAI spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal that the company takes the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously. “We work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way,” the spokesperson said, adding that the firm intends to “engage constructively with their offices.” The specific trigger for this particular coalition investigation remains unclear, though tech companies developing AI products have faced increasing scrutiny from state regulators in recent years.
This regulatory action follows a broader pattern of oversight, including a letter sent last year by 44 state attorneys general to major tech firms such as Meta, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Anthropic, Perplexity AI, and XAI. That correspondence urged these companies to implement measures to protect children from harmful or inappropriate chatbot interactions.
The subpoena arrives amid heightened legal pressure on OpenAI. In April, Florida Attorney General James Ulthmeier opened a criminal investigation into the company after reports emerged that a suspect in the 2025 Florida State University mass shooting had used ChatGPT. Additionally, a wrongful death lawsuit was recently filed against OpenAI, alleging the company failed to implement adequate safeguards to protect users from self-harm after a plaintiff’s daughter discussed suicidal thoughts with the chatbot prior to her death.
The investigation coincides with significant corporate developments for the artificial intelligence firm. OpenAI recently filed paperwork with the Securities and Exchange Commission to go public, although specific details regarding timing and pricing have not yet been determined.
