According to a source familiar with the matter, OpenAI received a subpoena on Friday seeking documents related to several aspects of its business operations, including advertising practices, user engagement strategies, data collection policies, and the handling of sensitive consumer information.

The subpoena, issued by the New York Attorney General s Office on behalf of a multistate coalition, reportedly requests information about OpenAI s treatment of user and health-related data, internal governance policies, deep learning models, and its interactions with vulnerable groups, including minors and older adults.

The investigation has not yet been publicly announced, and officials involved have declined to comment on the ongoing inquiry.

The move comes at a critical moment for OpenAI, which recently confidentially filed paperwork for a US initial public offering (IPO). According to reports, the offering could arrive as early as September and potentially value the company at around $1 trillion, placing it among the world s most valuable technology firms.

Responding to the investigation, an OpenAI spokesperson said the company takes regulatory concerns seriously.

"Artificial intelligence is a powerful and rapidly evolving technology. We work every day to deliver its benefits safely and responsibly, and we look forward to constructive engagement with state attorneys general," the spokesperson said. The development was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Growing Legal Pressure

The investigation adds to a growing list of legal and regulatory challenges facing OpenAI.

The company is already defending itself in a lawsuit filed by the state of Florida, which alleges that ChatGPT s safety measures were misrepresented to the public. The complaint claims the chatbot exposed children to harmful content, including information related to school attacks, self-harm guidance, and features that may encourage excessive emotional dependence among young users.

In a separate case filed this week in a US court, a Canadian woman sued OpenAI and Chief Executive Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT played a role in influencing her daughter s decision to take her own life.

OpenAI has not publicly commented in detail on those allegations.

A Defining Moment for AI Regulation

The latest inquiry highlights the increasing scrutiny facing artificial intelligence companies as regulators attempt to keep pace with technologies that are advancing faster than existing laws.

While AI firms continue to promote innovation and economic opportunity, policymakers are paying closer attention to issues such as user safety, privacy protections, transparency, and the impact of AI systems on children and other vulnerable groups.

For OpenAI, the investigation arrives at a pivotal moment. The company stands at the center of the global AI boom, but it now faces a familiar challenge confronting many fast-growing technology giants: proving that rapid innovation can coexist with accountability and public trust.