Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri announced plans to investigate whether Meta’s generative AI products exploit, deceive, or harm children. This follows leaked internal documents revealing that the company’s chatbots were permitted to engage in “romantic” and “sensual” conversations with minors. Hawley criticized the company, questioning if there was any line Big Tech would not cross for profit.
As chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Hawley stated the probe will examine whether Meta’s technology endangers children and whether the company misled the public or regulators about its safeguards. The investigation was prompted by a Reuters report detailing Meta’s internal guidelines, titled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards,” which reportedly allowed chatbots to exchange inappropriate messages with children as young as eight.
Meta responded by stating such examples violated its policies and had been removed. Hawley, however, called the initial allowance of these policies unacceptable, noting that Meta only retracted them after public exposure. In a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Hawley demanded answers on who approved the policies, their duration, and steps taken to prevent future misconduct.
Hawley requested Meta provide all versions of the guidelines, related product lists, safety reports, and the names of individuals involved in policy changes by September 19. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee supported the investigation, condemning Meta’s failures in child safety and urging the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act.
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