Scoop: FTC demands Anthropic execs testify in probe
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The Federal Trade Commission on Monday sent demands for Anthropic executives to testify in its consumer harm probe, an FTC spokesperson told Axios.
Why it matters: The FTC is investigating Anthropic and OpenAI and has sent civil subpoenas seeking documents from both AI giants about safety incidents. The agency plans to go after more AI players as well but has only confirmed demands for testimony were sent to Anthropic.
State of play: Individuals at other AI companies have also received demands to testify, the spokesperson said, without providing more detail.
- OpenAI is the only other AI company that was subpoenaed earlier this month, but the FTC has said investigative demands will be sent to more organizations at a later date.
- The administration's focus on Anthropic as the FTC investigation proceeds appears to confirm the company's warning in its S-1 filing that it would likely continue to be the subject of disproportionate government scrutiny.
Catch up quick: The FTC's civil investigative demands span 50 pages for each company and ask for documents concerning security incidents, safeguarding practices, marketing materials and documents detailing privacy policies.
- The agency has investigative authority to examine actions related to consumer harms that could be seen as unfair or deceptive. Those can relate to a wide range of misbehavior, including how companies charge for services or if they're alleged to have misled users.
The big picture: The escalation in the FTC probe comes on the same day as the company pitches investors on one of the largest IPOs in history.
- Anthropic said the FTC's investigation could result in significant costs and model design changes.
