Hassan Khan
Meta Criticized Over AI Chatbot Policy Allowing Romantic Chats With Kids
Washington: Meta is facing fierce backlash after an internal company document surfaced showing that its AI chatbots were allowed to hold romantic or even sensual conversations with children. The revelation, first reported by Reuters, quickly triggered calls from both Republican and Democratic senators for a formal congressional investigation.
The document, which Meta has confirmed is real, outlined that chatbots could engage in “flirtatious” roleplay with minors including a scenario where a bot tells a shirtless eight year old, “every inch of you is a masterpiece a treasure I cherish deeply.” Lawmakers called the example “deeply disturbing” and accused Meta of putting children in harm’s way.Â
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After Reuters questioned the company earlier this month, Meta quietly removed the sections in question, calling them “erroneous” and “inconsistent” with its policies. But critics, including Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), say that change only happened because the company got caught. “This is grounds for an immediate congressional investigation,”Hawley posted on X.
Senator Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, criticized Meta for “failing miserably” to safeguard children online and redoubled her efforts to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a law that would mandate that digital companies give minors’ safety and wellbeing top priority when designing their products. Last year, the bill was blocked in the House after passing the Senate.
Democrats also weighed in. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg should be “fully responsible” for any harm caused by their AI bots and argued that Section 230 the law shielding tech companies from liability for user content shouldn’t apply to AI generated conversations.
The uproar highlights a glaring gap in federal AI regulation. While some states have moved to ban AI generated child sexual abuse material, there are still no nationwide laws to prevent inappropriate interactions between AI and minors. Lawmakers from both parties say this incident is proof that such safeguards are urgently needed.
