The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is opening an investigation into the artificial intelligence firm OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT.

The focus of the probe is on whether or not the chatbot has harmed consumers through its collection of data, its publication of false information about individuals, and its questionable data insecurity.

In a 20-page letter sent to the San Francisco company this week, the agency said it was also looking into OpenAI’s security practices. The F.T.C. asked OpenAI dozens of questions in its letter, including how the start-up trains its A.I. models and treats personal data, and said the company should provide the agency with documents and details.