The company is in the US and in the current political climate, it can absolutely do whatever it wants as long as it pays off a couple of people.
Arguably, and not to offend you, it is those very people who have significant ownership stakes and funding in (Not)openAI.
It's not like the people with more resources than in any time in human history aren't investing in and wanting AI to succeed for their selfish reasons to grow their own resources and influence more. So, yes, it can "do whatever it wants" as long as most people remain weak, subservient, and disempowered to hold accountable those who keep making these decisions negatively shaping the majority's world.
One person really.