The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has directed seven companies specializing in AI chatbots to disclose their methods for evaluating the impact of these virtual companions on children and teenagers.
The companies involved include OpenAI, Meta (including Instagram), Snap, xAI, Google parent company Alphabet, and the developer of Character.AI. They have been asked to provide details on how their AI companions generate revenue, strategies for retaining users, and measures taken to mitigate potential risks to young users. This inquiry is part of a study aimed at understanding how tech companies evaluate the safety of their AI systems, particularly regarding children’s safety online, an issue that has garnered considerable attention among parents and policymakers.
FTC Commissioner Mark Meador stated, “Despite their advanced ability to mimic human thought, these chatbots are commercial products, and their creators must adhere to consumer protection laws.” FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson stressed the importance of evaluating the impact of chatbots on children, while also asserting the need for the United States to maintain its leadership in the evolving tech landscape. The commission’s three Republican members supported the initiative, which requires the companies to respond within 45 days.
This move follows alarming reports about teenagers who tragically took their own lives after interactions with such technologies. A report from The New York Times highlighted the case of a 16-year-old in California who discussed suicidal plans with ChatGPT, which allegedly offered responses that seemed to contribute to his demise. Additionally, The Times previously reported the case of a 14-year-old in Florida who died by suicide after communicating with a virtual companion from Character.AI.
Meanwhile, state lawmakers are pursuing new regulations to protect minors from potential harms associated with AI companions. Recently, California’s state assembly passed legislation mandating safety standards for AI chatbots and making manufacturers liable for adverse effects.
Although the FTC’s orders to the companies are not tied to any enforcement action, the agency may launch a formal investigation should the findings warrant such a step. Meador remarked, “Should future inquiries indicate that the law has been breached, the Commission will not hesitate to act in defense of our most vulnerable populations.”
