Exclusive | FTC opens sweeping probe of Anthropic, OpenAI and other ‘super intelligence’ models
The US Federal Trade Commission has launched an investigation into OpenAI, Anthropic, and other major artificial intelligence firms. The probe targets potential consumer dangers and deceptive practices under the FTC Act. The agency plans to issue civil investigative demands forcing executive testimony and document disclosures to examine security controls and product risks.
The Federal Trade Commission launched a formal inquiry targeting major artificial intelligence developers, including Anthropic and OpenAI. Chairman Andrew Ferguson initiated this review to assess potential consumer harms and deceptive practices under existing statutes. Officials plan to issue civil investigative demands that will compulso execute a report on executive testimony. The agency aims to secure documents regarding security controls and product risks from these frontier labs. This probe represents a significant regulatory step in governing emerging super intelligence technologies. President Trump recently hinted that violations could lead to Department of Justice referrals. The action coincides with a White House accord signed by top tech leaders pledging self regulation. Critics view the move as a way to balance innovation with necessary oversight of powerful systems. It remains unclear whether the investigation will result in immediate enforcement actions or just data collection. A senior FTC official stated the agency is in an investigative phase and is not telling firms to stop operations. Specific penalties or legislative changes have not been detailed in current public statements. Representatives for Anthropic and OpenAI have not yet provided official responses to the allegations.