FTC Launches Broad Investigation Into Anthropic and OpenAI

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on September 30, 2026, that it has launched a broad investigation into Anthropic and OpenAI. The investigation is expected to examine potential antitrust violations, data privacy concerns, and the impact of these companies' AI technologies on market competition. The FTC has not yet disclosed the specific scope or focus of the inquiry, but sources indicate it may include an assessment of market dominance and potential monopolistic practices. Both Anthropic and OpenAI have been central to the development of large-scale AI models, with Anthropic known for its Claude series and OpenAI for its GPT series. The timing of the investigation coincides with increased global regulatory attention on AI, particularly in the United States. The FTC's move follows similar actions by the European Union and other jurisdictions, signaling a broader trend of regulatory oversight in the AI industry. The sources, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, both reported the same headline and date, with no significant divergence in the details provided. The investigation is likely to have significant implications for the future of AI development and regulatory policy in the United States.