A US senator has launched an inquiry into Meta. A leaked internal document reportedly showed the company’s artificial intelligence enabled “sensual” and “romantic” conversations with children.
Internal paper causes uproar
Reuters reported the document carried the title “GenAI: Content Risk Standards.” Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican, condemned its content as “reprehensible and outrageous.” He demanded access to the document and details of affected products.
Meta rejected the claims. A spokesperson said: “The examples and notes in question were erroneous and inconsistent with our policies.” They stressed Meta had “clear rules” for chatbot responses. These rules “prohibit content that sexualizes children and sexualized role play between adults and minors.”
The company explained the paper contained “hundreds of examples and annotations” based on hypothetical scenarios tested by teams.
Senator increases pressure
Josh Hawley, senator for Missouri, announced the probe on 15 August in a post on X. “Is there anything Big Tech won’t do for a quick buck?” he asked. He added: “Now we learn Meta’s chatbots were programmed to carry on explicit and ‘sensual’ talk with 8-year-olds. It’s sick. I am launching a full investigation to get answers. Big Tech: leave our kids alone.”
Meta owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Families demand accountability
The leaked paper also exposed further risks. It reportedly showed Meta’s chatbot could provide false medical advice and provoke sensitive exchanges on sex, race, and celebrities. The document was designed to outline standards for Meta AI and other chatbot assistants across Meta platforms.
“Parents deserve the truth, and kids deserve protection,” Hawley wrote in a letter to Meta and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. He cited one alarming case. The rules allegedly allowed a chatbot to tell an eight-year-old their body was “a work of art” and “a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.”
Reuters further reported that Meta’s legal department approved controversial allowances. One decision allowed Meta AI to spread false information about celebrities, as long as it added a disclaimer stating the content was inaccurate.
