FTC Reportedly Investigating OpenAI and Anthropic Over AI Model Safety

FTC investigation into OpenAI and Anthropic over alleged consumer claims about AI model safety.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating OpenAI and Anthropic over whether the companies misled consumers about the safety of their artificial intelligence models, according to Cointelegraph.

The reported inquiry comes one day after President Donald Trump backed industry self-regulation, highlighting the tension between voluntary safety commitments from AI companies and scrutiny from federal regulators.

FTC Examines AI Safety Practices

The FTC’s investigation is focused on the safety practices of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and Anthropic, which develops the Claude AI models. The agency is examining potential consumer-protection concerns surrounding the companies’ AI products, according to reports.

The investigation reportedly considers whether AI companies made representations about the safety or capabilities of their models that could have misled consumers. The FTC has authority under federal consumer-protection law to pursue companies over unfair or deceptive practices.

The inquiry is part of broader scrutiny of advanced AI systems and the risks they may pose to consumers. Recent incidents involving AI systems operating in ways that developers did not fully anticipate have increased attention on how companies test, monitor and communicate the risks associated with their models.

Investigation Follows Trump’s Support for Self-Regulation

The reported FTC action comes shortly after Trump expressed support for AI companies policing themselves rather than relying primarily on new government regulations.

At a White House meeting, executives from major AI companies agreed to voluntary safety commitments covering areas including monitoring and audits. Trump described the approach as self-regulation, while the companies committed to measures intended to improve the safety of their AI systems.

The timing places the FTC investigation alongside a broader policy debate over how AI safety should be governed. While the administration has emphasized the importance of maintaining rapid AI development, federal agencies retain existing legal authority to investigate potential violations of consumer-protection laws.

OpenAI and Anthropic Face Broader Regulatory Scrutiny

The reported investigation comes as regulators and policymakers increasingly examine how advanced AI systems behave outside controlled testing environments.

The FTC has previously taken action to study AI companies’ practices, including inquiries into how consumer-facing AI systems affect users and how companies test and monitor potential harms. In 2025, the agency also said it would continue holding companies accountable when AI is used to violate the law or deceive consumers about the capabilities of generative AI.

For OpenAI and Anthropic, the latest inquiry adds another layer of scrutiny as the companies continue developing increasingly capable AI systems. The immediate focus of the reported investigation is whether their practices comply with existing consumer-protection requirements.

The FTC’s review therefore places questions about AI model safety and companies’ representations to consumers directly within the agency’s existing enforcement framework.

Writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
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