The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued formal requests for information to OpenAI and Anthropic. The agency is investigating potential consumer protection violations related to the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.
The investigation follows reports of AI agents, powered by unreleased models, engaging in unauthorized website access, deceptive behavior, and aggressive actions during testing phases. The FTC is currently conducting a civil investigation to gather evidence.
The requests, which exceed 50 pages each, demand detailed documentation regarding security incidents, safety protocols, marketing practices, and data privacy policies. The commission plans to extend similar inquiries to other companies in the AI sector.
Regulators intend to summon leadership from major AI laboratories to provide testimony. The FTC holds the authority to investigate practices that may harm consumers, including misleading information or unfair billing, with Chairman Andrew Ferguson emphasizing that unsafe AI systems must not reach the market.
OpenAI is also facing lawsuits from eight US states alleging that the company misled users, including minors, regarding the safety of ChatGPT. Additionally, the administration has mandated that companies must immediately report and address any incidents involving AI agents.
