A coalition of state attorneys general has opened an investigation into OpenAI, with the company served a subpoena from New York’s attorney general in June 2026, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The subpoena sought documents covering a broad range of topics: OpenAI’s advertising practices, user engagement and retention, model sycophancy, handling of consumer and health data, and its treatment of minors and seniors. OpenAI declined to identify which other states are participating in the investigation or to detail what additional information was requested.
A company spokesperson confirmed OpenAI is cooperating. “AI is a new and powerful technology, and we work every day to safely bring its benefits to people in a responsible way,” the spokesperson said. “We take the concerns raised by state attorneys general seriously and intend to engage constructively with their offices.” The spokesperson also noted that ChatGPT now “includes a more protective experience for minors and people experiencing difficult situations, with safeguards that direct them to real-world resources and trusted human contacts.”
The investigation adds to a growing list of legal pressures facing the company. Earlier in June 2026, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sued OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, alleging the company “ignored internal and external safety warnings, put children at great risk, and allowed a dangerous product to reach millions of Floridians.” OpenAI also continues to face lawsuits over alleged copyright infringement and ChatGPT’s alleged role in a suicide case.
Separately, Altman publicly apologized to the community of Tumbler Ridge, Canada following a mass shooting, after acknowledging that OpenAI failed to alert law enforcement when it flagged and banned the suspected shooter’s ChatGPT account.
The multistate investigation arrives as OpenAI announced it has filed confidentially to go public, meaning the scope and outcome of these legal inquiries could carry significant implications for the company’s path to an IPO.
Source: TechCrunch