A group of US state attorneys general has issued a broad subpoena to OpenAI, demanding extensive documentation on how the company safeguards users of ChatGPT, escalating regulatory pressure on the artificial intelligence firm at a critical moment in its corporate trajectory.
The inquiry, led by New York’s attorney general and joined by multiple states, requests detailed records covering advertising practices, user engagement methods, handling of consumer and health data, and protections for vulnerable groups including minors and older adults. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, which first disclosed the action, the subpoena was served just days after OpenAI filed confidential paperwork for a potential initial public offering.
The timing has raised concerns that the investigation could complicate one of the most closely watched IPO processes in the technology sector. Analysts have previously estimated that a public listing of the ChatGPT developer could value the company at around $1 trillion (€861bn), underscoring the stakes involved as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.
OpenAI acknowledged the request and said it intends to cooperate with the relevant state offices. A company spokesperson said it takes the concerns seriously and maintains that safety protections are built into its systems, while also emphasising its goal of deploying artificial intelligence responsibly. The company has not disclosed which additional states are participating in the inquiry.
The subpoena adds to a growing wave of legal and regulatory challenges facing OpenAI. In Canada, a lawsuit filed last week alleges that ChatGPT contributed to the death of a teenager, while Florida’s attorney general has brought a separate case accusing the company and chief executive Sam Altman of negligence after the chatbot was allegedly used by individuals involved in violent incidents.
OpenAI has disputed those claims, stating that its systems consistently encourage users to seek professional help and that it has cooperated with law enforcement investigations where required.
The company has also faced previous courtroom battles. A federal jury in California recently dismissed Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI, in which he argued the organisation had drifted from its original nonprofit mission. Musk has said he intends to appeal the ruling.
Meanwhile, AI governance pressures are mounting globally. European regulators are examining Musk’s rival chatbot Grok over content concerns, while Anthropic, another major AI firm preparing for a potential IPO, has been directed by US authorities to limit the overseas use of certain models on national security grounds.
Together, the developments highlight how rapidly evolving AI technologies are now intersecting with legal systems, political oversight, and financial markets as governments attempt to define the boundaries of a fast-growing industry.
