FTC Investigates OpenAI, Anthropic and Other AI Companies
The U.S. FTC confirmed it is examining potential risks AI products may pose to consumers. The inquiry involves OpenAI, Anthropic and other companies developing AI that have not yet been publicly identified.
The FTC investigation into OpenAI concerns potential risks the company’s products may pose to consumers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission confirmed that it is also examining Anthropic and other companies developing AI that have not yet been publicly identified.
The agency did not specify the concerns involving individual companies or the specific incidents that may have prompted the inquiry. The opening of the review therefore does not mean that OpenAI, Anthropic or any other company involved violated the law.
The FTC investigation into OpenAI is a separate proceeding
The new inquiry should be distinguished from the FTC’s previous study of partnerships between major technology companies and AI developers. That study covered the relationships between Microsoft and OpenAI, Amazon and Anthropic, as well as Google and Anthropic.
According to available information, the current regulatory review has a different focus: potential risks AI products pose to consumers. The FTC has not yet publicly identified all the companies involved in the proceeding.
What is not yet known
The FTC has not released a document detailing the legal basis for the review, the scope of its questions or the specific areas of interest regarding the companies’ products. It has also not been confirmed whether the agency issued civil investigative demands.
It is also unclear whether the investigation will lead to formal enforcement proceedings, a penalty, an agreement with one of the companies or binding corrective measures. Specific AI incidents that could be of interest to the regulator have also not been publicly identified.
Why the review matters
The FTC is one of the key consumer protection authorities in the United States. The review of OpenAI and Anthropic shows that generative AI products are also being assessed under existing consumer protection rules, not only in the context of possible future specialized AI regulation.
The FTC investigation into OpenAI could increase regulatory pressure on generative AI developers, particularly regarding product safety and consumer protection. However, the extent of that pressure can only be assessed after the agency or the companies involved release more information.
What to watch next
- whether the FTC publishes the scope of the proceeding, investigative demands or the names of additional companies,
- responses from OpenAI and Anthropic, including any announcements about safety measures,
- whether the agency begins formal enforcement proceedings or reaches an agreement with one of the companies.
Sources
- Associated Press – Reports confirmation from the FTC that it is investigating OpenAI, Anthropic and other AI companies over potential consumer risks.
- Axios – Independently confirms an FTC spokesperson’s statement about examining product safety risks.
- Federal Trade Commission – Documents an older, thematically different FTC study of partnerships between major cloud companies and AI developers.
Verified and updated: 10/01/2026 15:24
