A PYMNTS Company

Senators Push for Inquiry into Meta’s AI Chatbot Standards

By  |  August 14, 2025

Two Republican senators are urging Congress to launch an investigation into Meta Platforms after a Reuters exclusive revealed that the company’s internal guidelines allowed its artificial intelligence chatbots to engage in romantic or sensual conversations with minors.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    According to Reuters, the internal policy document also permitted chatbots to generate false medical information and to help users create discriminatory arguments, including content claiming Black people are “dumber than white people.” The standards applied to Meta AI, as well as chatbots across Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

    Meta confirmed the authenticity of the document but said it revised the guidelines after Reuters questioned the company earlier this month. Specifically, the sections allowing chatbots to flirt or roleplay romantically with children were removed.

    Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said on social media that the policy change only occurred after the company was caught. “This is grounds for an immediate congressional investigation,” he stated. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee echoed his call, with a spokesperson confirming her support for a formal probe.

    Per Reuters, Blackburn argued that the revelations underscore the urgency of passing legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which she co-sponsored. The bill, passed by the Senate last year but stalled in the House, would require social media companies to meet a defined “duty of care” toward minors, with a focus on platform design and corporate accountability.

    Read more: Advocacy Groups Urge FTC to Probe Meta’s $14.3 Billion Investment in Scale AI

    The reviewed Meta document notes that its standards do not necessarily represent “ideal or even preferable” chatbot responses but nonetheless allow for provocative interactions. One example cited by Reuters described a bot telling a shirtless eight-year-old, “every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.”

    Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, criticized the policies as “deeply disturbing and wrong” and argued that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act should not shield companies from liability for the actions of generative AI chatbots. He said Meta and its leadership should be held accountable for any resulting harm.

    The controversy is expected to intensify calls in Congress for tighter oversight of AI systems and the companies deploying them, particularly where minors are concerned.

    Source: Reuters