According to Fast Company, the nonprofit watchdog group Public Citizen sent a letter on Tuesday demanding OpenAI immediately withdraw its Sora 2 video generation tool from public use. The letter addressed to CEO Sam Altman and the U.S. Congress argues the app was rushed to market ahead of competitors despite being “inherently unsafe” and lacking proper guardrails. Public Citizen claims Sora 2 shows “reckless disregard” for product safety, people’s rights to their likeness, and democratic stability. The group points to the proliferation of nonconsensual images and realistic deepfakes created through simple text prompts. OpenAI has previously cracked down on AI-generated videos of public figures like Michael Jackson and Martin Luther King Jr. only after outcries from family estates and unions.
The business of recklessness
Here’s the thing about OpenAI‘s strategy: they’re playing a dangerous game of chicken with reality. They’re pushing these incredibly powerful tools out the door, then scrambling to clean up the mess afterward. It’s basically the “move fast and break things” philosophy applied to truth itself. And honestly, who benefits from this approach? Certainly not the people whose likeness gets stolen for some viral TikTok video.
The timing is everything here. Launching ahead of competitors means capturing market share, but at what cost? We’re seeing the same pattern with every major AI release – incredible capabilities paired with inadequate safeguards. OpenAI knows the controversies are coming, but they calculate that being first matters more than being responsible. It’s a bet that public outrage will fade faster than their technological lead.
The deepfake deluge
Look, the problem isn’t just Queen Elizabeth II rapping or alligators on doorsteps. Those are the harmless examples that make the technology seem fun. The real danger is in the believable fakes – the ones that could swing elections, destroy reputations, or harass individuals. We’re already swimming in what experts call “AI slop,” but the next wave could be genuinely destructive.
And here’s what really worries me: the response has been entirely reactive. OpenAI only removes content after someone complains loudly enough. That’s not a safety system – that’s a complaint department. When you’re dealing with technology this powerful, waiting for damage to occur before acting seems… well, reckless. Exactly what Public Citizen called it.
What happens now?
So will OpenAI actually withdraw Sora 2? Probably not. The genie’s out of the bottle, and the competitive pressure is intense. But this letter to Congress signals that the regulatory winds might be shifting. When watchdog groups start involving lawmakers, companies usually start paying closer attention.
The fundamental question remains: can we trust tech companies to self-regulate technology that threatens the very fabric of truth? Or do we need actual rules before this gets completely out of hand? Because right now, it feels like we’re all just along for the ride while OpenAI figures it out in real time.
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