Multiple state attorneys general have launched an investigation into OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT. The probe covers a range of company practices, including advertising policies and the handling of health data.
The specific states involved in the investigation have not been disclosed. The inquiry represents the latest regulatory scrutiny faced by OpenAI as it continues to develop and deploy AI products to millions of users. State-level investigations can result in enforcement actions, policy changes, or legal settlements depending on findings.
OpenAI has grown rapidly since launching ChatGPT in late 2022, expanding into enterprise services, research partnerships, and consumer applications. The company handles vast amounts of user data through its conversational AI platform, raising questions about data privacy, advertising practices, and the handling of sensitive information including health-related queries.
The investigation into advertising policies suggests regulators are examining how OpenAI markets its products and whether those practices comply with state consumer protection laws. The focus on health data handling reflects broader concerns about how AI companies manage sensitive personal information, particularly as users increasingly turn to chatbots for advice on medical questions and wellness topics.
State attorneys general have become increasingly active in regulating technology companies, often coordinating multi-state investigations into data privacy, consumer protection, and antitrust issues. These probes can run parallel to federal investigations or fill gaps where federal agencies have not acted. OpenAI has not publicly commented on the investigation.