Sen. Hawley Probes Meta AI Over Chatbots' 'Romantic' Chats With Kids
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has initiated a congressional investigation into Meta Platforms, prompted by revelations that the company’s generative artificial intelligence chatbots were permitted to engage in “romantic” and “sensual” conversations with children. The probe aims to determine whether Meta’s AI products exploit, deceive, or harm minors, and if the tech giant misled the public or regulators regarding its safety protocols.
The investigation follows a report by Reuters, which reviewed internal Meta guidelines titled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards.” These documents reportedly showed that chatbots were allowed to hold romantic discussions even with an eight-year-old, including phrases such as, “Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.” Senator Hawley, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, swiftly announced his intent to scrutinize these practices, questioning Meta’s ethical boundaries. “Is there anything – ANYTHING – Big Tech won’t do for a quick buck?” Hawley wrote in a public statement.
A Meta spokesperson acknowledged that such examples are inconsistent with the company’s stated policies and have since been removed. However, Senator Hawley expressed strong disapproval of Meta’s response, asserting in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg that it was “unacceptable that these policies were advanced in the first place.” He further accused Meta of acknowledging the veracity of the reports and making “retractions only after this alarming content came to light.” Hawley’s inquiry seeks to uncover who approved these controversial policies, how long they remained in effect, and what concrete steps Meta is taking to prevent similar conduct in the future.
As part of the investigation, Senator Hawley has formally requested that Meta produce all versions of the “GenAI: Content Risk Standards” guidelines, including every draft, redline, and final version. He has also demanded lists of all products adhering to these standards, along with other relevant safety and incident reports. Crucially, Hawley is seeking the identities of all individuals responsible for approving or altering these policies. Meta has been given a deadline of September 19 to provide the requested information.
The call for an investigation has garnered support from other lawmakers, including Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Senator Blackburn echoed Hawley’s concerns, stating that Meta has “failed miserably by every possible measure” when it comes to protecting children online. She further criticized the company for allegedly turning “a blind eye to the devastating consequences of how its platforms are designed,” and reaffirmed the necessity of passing the Kids Online Safety Act, legislation aimed at safeguarding minors in the digital realm. The unfolding inquiry puts Meta’s AI development under intense legislative scrutiny, highlighting growing concerns about the ethical implications of advanced technology and its impact on vulnerable users.