# OpenAI illegally barred staff from airing safety risks, whistleblowers say 

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/07/13/openai-safety-risks-whistleblower-sec

## Summary

OpenAI whistleblowers have filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging the company illegally barred employees from warning regulators about grave risks its technology may pose to humanity, and are calling for an investigation. According to the article, the complaint was described in a letter exclusively obtained by The Washington Post, which says the whistleblowers asked the SEC to probe the company's allegedly restrictive nondisclosure agreements. The article includes a photo of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill, but it gives no further details beyond the complaint itself.

## Article

Democracy Dies in Darkness

In a letter exclusively obtained by The Washington Post, whistleblowers asked the SEC to probe company’s allegedly restrictive nondisclosure agreements.

July 13, 2024More than 2 years ago

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill last year. (Elizabeth Frantz for The Washington Post)

OpenAI whistleblowers have filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging the artificial intelligence company illegally prohibited its employees from warning regulators about the grave risks its technology may pose to humanity, calling for an investigation.

## Comments

**mishaderidder.eth**: “The whistleblowers said OpenAI issued its employees overly restrictive employment, severance and nondisclosure agreements that could have led to penalties against workers who raised concerns about OpenAI to federal regulators, according to a seven-page letter sent to the SEC commissioner earlier this month that referred to the formal complaint. The letter was obtained exclusively by The Washington Post.”

The letter is here https://www.washingtonpost.com/documents/83df0e55-546c-498a-9efc-06fac591904e.pdf