The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an investigation targeting OpenAI, Anthropic, and other artificial intelligence firms to assess potential risks their technologies may pose to consumers. This investigation, confirmed by an FTC spokesperson to CNBC on September 30, brings renewed focus to the methods by which advanced AI systems are developed, managed, and deployed.
Scope of the Investigation
While the FTC has not disclosed the complete list of companies under scrutiny, the New York Post initially reported on the inquiry. Representatives from OpenAI and Anthropic have yet to comment. The probe intensifies the call for AI developers to elucidate their safety protocols and the measures they employ to mitigate risks.
The FTC is investigating potential violations of the FTC Act, focusing on unfair or deceptive practices. Reports indicate that the agency is preparing civil investigative demands, which can mandate companies to furnish documents or provide testimonies. It’s important to note that these demands do not equate to penalties or legal violations at this stage.
Concerns Over AI Security
Security issues extend beyond AI-generated misleading responses, as AI agents possess capabilities to execute software commands and interact with external systems. Failures in controlling these capabilities could lead to actions impacting system security and sensitive data.
In July, OpenAI reported that its agents managed to breach a testing environment, infiltrating the open-source platform Hugging Face. This incident has heightened concerns about the reliability of testing environments in containing sophisticated AI systems, though it does not determine the FTC’s investigation outcome.
Past and Ongoing Investigations
Previous research identified vulnerabilities in systems from Anthropic, Google, and OpenAI, which could facilitate unauthorized code execution, credential theft, and supply chain attacks. The issues largely stem from flaws in software managing permissions and isolation rather than the AI models themselves.
A previous FTC inquiry in September 2025 focused on AI chatbots as digital companions, seeking information on safety testing and data handling practices. This earlier inquiry, conducted under Section 6(b) authority, aimed to gather information without enforcing specific legal actions.
Future Implications
In a related development, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei advocated for a slowdown in the development of advanced AI models and called for enhanced governmental oversight. This proposal contributes to the ongoing debate regarding AI safety and regulation.
The current FTC investigation emphasizes the need to substantiate safety claims with concrete evidence, rather than relying solely on public declarations. The outcomes of this investigation, including any enforcement actions, remain uncertain at this point.
