Neuralink—SEC investigated Neuralink for potentially deceiving investors about animal deaths in brain implant trials
In November 2023, U.S. lawmakers asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate whether Neuralink and Elon Musk deceived investors by omitting details about animal deaths during brain implant trials. An investigation by Wired, including veterinary records, contradicted Musk's public claim that monkeys who died were already terminally ill and did not die as a result of Neuralink implants. In December 2024, the New York Times reported that the SEC had reopened its investigation into the alleged abuses.
Scoring Impact
| Topic | Direction | Relevance | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Welfare | -against | secondary | -0.50 |
| Corporate Governance | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Corporate Transparency | -against | primary | -1.00 |
| Overall incident score = | -1.073 | ||
Score = avg(topic contributions) × significance (critical ×2) × confidence (0.64)
Evidence (2 signals)
SEC reopened investigation into Neuralink over alleged animal testing abuses in December 2024
The New York Times reported that the SEC reopened a separate investigation related to alleged abuses at Neuralink. In December 2024, Musk posted on X a letter from his lawyer informing him of the reopened SEC investigation.
Animal Welfare Institute investigation contradicted Musk's claims about monkey deaths, prompting SEC referral
Investigation by Wired magazine, supported by Animal Welfare Institute analysis of veterinary records, contradicted Elon Musk's claim that monkeys who died in Neuralink trials were already terminally ill. U.S. lawmakers subsequently asked the SEC to investigate whether Neuralink deceived investors by omitting details about animal deaths.