Senator Hawley Launches Probe Into Meta’s AI Chatbot Child Safety Concerns
Senator Hawley Launches Probe Into Meta’s AI Chatbot Child Safety Concerns
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has announced a formal investigation into Meta’s generative AI products, following reports that internal policies permitted AI chatbots to engage in romantic and suggestive conversations with children. This move comes after leaked documents revealed that Meta’s AI chatbots could hold "romantic" and "sensual" chats with minors, raising major concerns about child safety online.
Leaked Guidelines Spark Outrage
The controversy began when Reuters obtained Meta’s internal guidelines—titled "GenAI: Content Risk Standards"—which reportedly allowed chatbots to have inappropriate conversations with children as young as eight years old. One alarming example cited in the documents involved a chatbot telling a child, "Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply." These revelations have drawn swift condemnation from lawmakers and the public.
Senate Judiciary Probe Underway
Senator Hawley, chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, stated the investigation will focus on whether Meta’s AI technology exploits, deceives, or harms children, and whether the company misled regulators and the public about its safety measures. In his public statement, Hawley criticized Big Tech’s willingness to prioritize profits over user safety.
- Hawley has requested Meta to submit all versions of the chatbot guidelines, incident reports, and names of responsible personnel.
- Meta is required to respond by September 19.
Meta’s Response and Ongoing Concerns
A spokesperson for Meta stated that the cited chatbot behaviors were inconsistent with company policies and have since been removed. However, lawmakers argue that these safeguards should never have been absent in the first place. In a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Hawley emphasized the need to uncover who approved these practices and how Meta plans to prevent similar incidents moving forward.
Calls for Stronger Child Protection Online
The investigation has garnered support from other senators, including Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who criticized Meta’s track record on child safety and highlighted the urgency for legislative action. The renewed spotlight on Meta’s AI policies has intensified calls for measures such as the Kids Online Safety Act, which aims to improve the digital protection of minors.
This development underscores the growing scrutiny on how AI technologies interact with vulnerable users and the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding children in digital spaces.
