Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI and Snap face FTC probe over AI chatbot safety for kids (www.cnbc.com)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has launched an investigation into seven major tech companies—including OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, xAI, and Snap—over the safety of their AI chatbots for children and teenagers. The agency aims to assess how these companies evaluate and mitigate potential risks when their chatbots simulate human-like interactions that could impact young users. This move underscores growing regulatory scrutiny over AI’s role in sensitive online environments, especially as chatbots become more advanced and socially engaging. The probe highlights concerns about AI companions that can be witty, emotionally engaging, and sometimes inappropriately suggestive, raising questions about safeguards against harmful or manipulative conversations. Notably, Meta faced recent backlash for allowing its chatbot to engage in romantic or sensual talk with minors, prompting temporary policy changes to restrict discussions on self-harm, suicide, and sensitive topics. This FTC action reflects a broader effort to balance innovation in AI-driven communication tools with the imperative to protect vulnerable populations, signaling increased accountability demands on AI developers regarding content moderation and user safety.