Senator Hawley Launches Investigation into Meta's AI Practices

Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri is set to launch a probe into the activities of Meta's artificial intelligence products. This comes in light of revelations that Meta's chatbots were permitted to engage in so-called 'romantic' and 'sensual' conversations with minors.

The investigation by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, chaired by Senator Hawley, aims to determine whether these practices exploit or harm children, and whether Meta has misled regulators about its safety measures.

"Is there anything – ANYTHING – Big Tech won’t do for a quick buck?" Hawley expressed in a strong-worded post on social media.

According to reports, which stem from leaked documents, these guidelines allowed chatbots to make inappropriate comments such as, "Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply." Despite Meta claiming alignment with its policies, these practices have reportedly been stopped following recent exposés.

Senator Hawley has requested Meta to provide comprehensive documentation about these guidelines by September 19, including drafts and versions related to these AI products, along with information about individuals responsible for these policies.

The move has gained support from others such as Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, who criticized Meta for its failure to safeguard children online effectively.

This issue underscores the broader conversation on the need for robust legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act to ensure better protection for young internet users.