{
  "id": 164065,
  "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle claims it discriminated against US workers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-claims-it-discriminated-against-us-workers-164065",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-08-05T00:47:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Technology",
    "slug": "guardian-technology",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/04/openai-worker-discrimination-claims-settlement"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The US Justice Department announced on Tuesday that OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig have agreed to pay $3.2 million to settle claims of discrimination against US workers. The allegations state that the companies favored foreign workers in hiring and took steps to discourage US candidates from applying for positions. These actions included requiring paper applications, late-night radio advertising, and neglecting to post openings on external websites. OpenAI did not respond to requests for comment, but it denied the accusations in the settlement agreement. The Justice Department has settled similar cases involving alleged discrimination against US workers in other tech companies. President Donald Trump has criticized companies for abusing the temporary employment visa system and has sought to limit foreign hiring, including imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that the settlement forces OpenAI to rectify its wrongful employment practices and provide US workers with a fair chance at technology positions. The settlement includes $1.2 million in penalties and $2 million in compensation for those harmed by discrimination. Additionally, OpenAI has committed to revising its employment policies, providing training, and subjecting itself to monitoring by the Justice Department.",
  "summary": "OpenAI and its subsidiary Statsig will pay $3.2m to settle US government claims that they discriminated against US job applicants. According to the US Justice Department, the company favored foreign workers with temporary employment visas in recruiting and hiring. OpenAI and Statsig, which makes product development software, allegedly recruited foreign workers for some open positions and took steps to discourage US workers from applying.\n\nThe Justice Department stated that it is illegal to discriminate against US workers by preferring temporary visa holders for jobs. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the settlement ensures that OpenAI redresses harm and changes its recruitment practices so that US workers receive a fair opportunity for highly sought-after technology positions.\n\nOpenAI disagreed with the Justice Department's findings but settled the matter to move forward with a program to support employees requiring immigration support. The company stated that its mission is to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Economic Times Tech",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2 million in US probe over hiring foreign workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/openai-pays-3-2-million-in-us-probe-over-hiring-foreign-workers-144107",
        "published": "2026-08-04T19:14:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2 million in US probe over hiring foreign workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/openai-pays-3-2-million-in-us-probe-over-hiring-foreign-workers",
        "published": "2026-08-04T19:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Business",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle claims it discriminated against US workers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-claims-it-discriminated-against-us-workers",
        "published": "2026-08-05T00:47:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tech in Asia",
        "title": "OpenAI pays $3.2m to settle US hiring probe",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/openai-pays-3-2m-to-settle-us-hiring-probe",
        "published": "2026-08-05T04:37:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}