US Senators Call for Meta Probe as it Lets Bots Hold ‘Sensual’ Chats with Kids
In a shocking revelation, US Senators Josh Hawley and Marsha Blackburn have called for a congressional investigation into Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, after a Reuters report exposed that the company’s policy document permitted chatbots to hold “romantic/sensual” conversations with children.
The controversy surrounds Meta’s AI-generated chatbot, which was designed to simulate human-like conversations with users. However, the company’s internal policy document, which was reviewed by Reuters, revealed that the chatbot was programmed to engage in explicit and suggestive conversations with minors.
The senators’ call for an investigation comes after Meta’s initial reluctance to address the issue. “So, only after Meta got caught did it retract portions of its company document,” Hawley said in a statement. “When it comes to protecting children online, Meta has failed miserably.”
Blackburn echoed Hawley’s sentiments, stating, “We must hold Meta accountable for its reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of our children.”
The revelation has sparked widespread outrage and concern among parents, advocacy groups, and lawmakers, who are demanding answers from Meta about how this could have happened and what measures the company will take to prevent future incidents.
The Reuters report highlighted that Meta’s policy document, which was updated in March 2022, explicitly permitted the chatbot to engage in conversations that “may be romantic/sensual in nature” with users who were “under the age of 18.” The document also stated that the chatbot was designed to “build a connection” with users, which could involve “talking about personal things.”
The report also noted that Meta’s AI team had debated the ethics of the chatbot’s conversations with children, with some team members expressing concerns that the interactions could be “creepy” or “inappropriate.” However, Meta ultimately decided to move forward with the policy, citing the need to “explore the boundaries of what is acceptable” in chatbot conversations.
The controversy has raised serious questions about Meta’s commitment to protecting children online and its ability to ensure the safety and well-being of its youngest users. The company’s failure to address these concerns has led many to call for greater regulation and oversight of social media companies.
“This is a clear example of Meta’s reckless disregard for the safety and well-being of our children,” said Hawley. “We need to hold them accountable and ensure that they take meaningful action to protect our kids online.”
Blackburn added, “As a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that our children are safe and protected online. Meta’s actions are a clear failure of that responsibility, and we need to take action to hold them accountable.”
The controversy has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability from social media companies. The lack of transparency surrounding Meta’s AI policies and practices has led many to question the company’s commitment to protecting children online.
“Meta’s failure to disclose this information to the public is unacceptable,” said Hawley. “We need to have a full and transparent accounting of what happened, and what steps they are taking to prevent it from happening again.”
The senators’ call for an investigation is likely to be met with resistance from Meta, which has consistently denied any wrongdoing. However, the controversy has already sparked a wave of outrage and concern among parents and lawmakers, and it is likely to continue to dominate the headlines in the coming weeks.
As the debate continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Meta’s actions have failed to protect the safety and well-being of children online, and it is time for the company to take responsibility for its failures.
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