US watchdog probes ChatGPT creator OpenAI over consumer protection issues

The FTC’s move represents the most significant regulatory threat so far to the nascent but fast-growing AI industry (Michael Dwyer/AP,File)

The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into ChatGPT creator OpenAI and whether the artificial intelligence (AI) company violated consumer protection laws by scraping public data and publishing false information through its chatbot.

The agency sent OpenAI a 20-page letter requesting detailed information on its AI technology, products, customers, privacy safeguards and data security arrangements.