FTC opens consumer protection probe into OpenAI, Anthropic and other AI labs

FTC launches sweeping probe into OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI labs over consumer protection concerns

The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating OpenAI, Anthropic and other leading AI labs over possible consumer protection violations. Chair Andrew Ferguson plans to use legally binding civil investigative demands to compel document production and interviews with executives. The demands are expected to be issued within weeks.

Why it matters: It tracks how the FTC's formal investigation into several AI labs could shift responsibility for agent behavior onto developers.