FTC opens probe into ChatGPT over potential defamation

In a civil subpoena to the company made public Thursday, the FTC says its investigation of ChatGPT focuses on whether OpenAI has “engaged in unfair or deceptive practices relating to risks of harm to consumers, including reputational harm.”

One question asks the company to “describe in detail the extent to which you have taken steps to address or mitigate risks that your large language model products could generate statements about real individuals that are false, misleading or disparaging.”

[It might be more fruitful to pursue an investigation into potential plagiarism and copyright violations. That seems more in line with the FTC’s regulatory authority than policing the internet for defamation. — Ed]