16 October 2025
“Cutthroat” OpenAI accused of exploiting Musk fight to intimidate and silence critics.
Over the past week, OpenAI has faced backlash over subpoenas it sent to nonprofits accused of conspiring with Elon Musk to amplify public criticism of OpenAI as it sought to shift from a nonprofit to for-profit structure.
The subpoenas are supposed to support OpenAI’s defense in a lawsuit Musk’s X Corp filed to block the for-profit transition. Seeking a “wide variety of documents”—including a sweeping request for all communications regarding Musk and all information on nonprofits’ funders and donations—OpenAI claimed that the subpoenas are intended to probe if Musk was involved in the actions or paid nonprofits to make critical comments, NBC News wrote in a report exhaustively documenting the controversy.
But nonprofits have alleged it’s obvious that OpenAI is using the lawsuit to harass, silence, and intimidate its critics—most glaringly when it comes to targeting nonprofits that are even more publicly critical of Musk’s companies than they are of OpenAI.
Emma Ruby-Sachs, executive director for Ekō—a nonprofit that serves as a global consumer watchdog holding the “biggest companies in the world accountable”—told NBC News that “the logical basis” for sending the subpoena “is so ridiculous that we have to assume this is just a tactic to scare us and get us to back off.”
Ruby-Sachs noted that Ekō called for Musk to be fired as the head of DOGE earlier this year. Running a billboard in Times Square that showed a grinning Musk donning a crown, Ekō urged passersby to contact Congress if they “don’t want a king.”
Further, Ekō had corresponded with OpenAI prior to receiving the subpoena, confirming that “we’re over 70 percent funded by small online donations from individuals, and we’ve run multiple campaigns against Elon Musk in the last year,” Ruby-Sachs said.
Delight users with Cursor Cat - a playful Chrome extension that adds a charming feline sidekick to every cursor move, boosting UX and shareability.
View ProductLeave a lasting impression - Cursor Trail paints your path in luminous strokes, marrying dynamic motion with elegant design for every movement.
View ProductTransform your browser into a cosmic playground - Cursor Space introduces galaxy-inspired pointers that add immersive flair without sacrificing speed or usability.
View ProductDrive repeat sessions with Catch the Cat - a fast-paced browser game that tests reflexes and strategic thinking in bite-sized play periods.
View ProductEnrich each click with graceful motion - Cursor Trails offers a refined collection of animated effects to elevate both style and usability.
View ProductExtend session lengths with BridgeMaster - a physics-driven arcade game where precision and timing unlock new levels of user engagement.
View ProductStand out with Custom Cursor Trail - a Chrome extension that traces your pointer in vivid effects to captivate visitors and boost brand recall.
View ProductMaximize productivity with Cursor Helper: a refined extension that not only customizes your pointer’s look but streamlines your daily workflow with intuitive options.
View ProductDiscover a versatile cursor toolkit - Custom Cursor App delivers an expansive library of high-resolution pointers that blend flawless aesthetics with lightning-fast performance.
View ProductExperience tactile depth in the digital realm - Texture Cursors offers a curated set of lifelike pointer textures, elevating both clarity and creativity.
View ProductRediscover the classic pointer - Mouse Cursor redefines simplicity with a selection of minimalist, high-contrast cursors optimized for every task.
View ProductBoost engagement with PiggyBank Money Clicker - a browser idle game where every click yields virtual cash, driving session length and repeat visits.
View ProductElevate your Chrome experience with Custom Cursor Pro: a premium suite of handcrafted cursors engineered for performance, style, and seamless integration.
View ProductEngage millions in addictive baking fun - Cookie Clicker ramps up user retention with layered upgrades and strategic progression in an idle format.
View ProductCapture attention with Money Rain - a Chrome extension that showers your screen in dynamic money graphics, perfect for viral sharing and brand visibility.
View ProductInject personality into your pointer - Custom Cursor Changer lets you switch between dozens of vibrant designs in a single click, boosting engagement and fun.
View ProductRevitalize a classic with Minesweeper for Chrome - an engaging logic puzzle that enhances site interaction and encourages multiple playthroughs.
View ProductIncrease dwell time with Pawsome Kitties - animated kitten avatars that follow your pointer, enhancing site stickiness and user delight.
View Product