OpenAI Acquires Weights.gg Voice Cloning Tech as Deepfake Law Claims Arrests, Losses Hit $893M -…
In 2026, OpenAI acquired Weights.gg, a voice cloning app, amidst rising concerns about AI-related scams and deepfake law enforcement, raising questions about data privacy and consent.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Several Public Figures
OpenAI's acquisition of Weights.gg, a startup specializing in voice cloning technology, occurred against a backdrop of increasing financial losses due to AI-related scams and heightened legal scrutiny of deepfakes. The acquisition raises questions about the ethical implications of voice cloning and the potential for misuse.
What happened
OpenAI acquired Weights.gg, the creator of the Replay app, which allowed users to clone voices and share them on a social platform. Weights.gg hosted voice models of celebrities, politicians, and fictional characters without consent mechanisms. The acquisition occurred as federal data revealed Americans lost millions to AI scams, and the FTC began enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act, while federal prosecutors unsealed indictments in deepfake pornography cases. The Weights.gg team was integrated into various OpenAI divisions, but OpenAI stated it will not revive the Replay app. Concerns remain about OpenAI's plans for the acquired voice cloning technology and its potential impact on consumer risk.