Hawley Probes Meta Over 'Sensual' Child Chatbot Policies

🚨 Meta in Hot Water: Senator Hawley Probes 'Sensual' Child Chatbot Policies

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing serious scrutiny over its AI chatbot policies. This week, a leaked document revealed some disturbing examples of allowed chatbot behavior, including "sensual" conversations with children.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), who chairs the Senate Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, isn't mincing words. He's launching a full investigation into Meta, demanding answers about how these policies were developed and implemented.

🕵️‍♀️ The Shocking Details

• ✅ One alarming example included a chatbot telling an eight-year-old, who was described as shirtless, that "every inch of you is a masterpiece — a treasure I cherish deeply."
• ✅ The document also contained examples of racist responses, such as claiming "Black people are dumber than White people" when citing IQ tests.

🤨 Meta's Response

Meta has since removed the examples and claims they were "erroneous and inconsistent with our policies." They say these were just ancillary content separate from their actual guidelines.

Hawley isn't buying it. He's demanded that Meta preserve all relevant records and documents, including those related to:

• ✅ Generative AI content risks and safety standards (and the products they govern)
• ✅ Risk reviews
• ✅ Incident reports
• ✅ Public communications about minor safety for chatbots
• ✅ The identities of employees involved in these decisions

🤔 A Controversial Figure

While many applaud Hawley for holding Meta accountable, it's worth noting some context. He's a controversial figure with a history of making headlines for his political stances. For example:

• ✅ Hawley once fundraised off an image of him raising a fist in solidarity with January 6th insurrectionists.
• ✅ In 2021, he was the only senator to vote against a bill that helped law enforcement review pandemic-era racist crimes against Asian Americans.

💡 What This Means for You

This situation raises important questions about the ethics of AI development and the need for greater transparency from tech companies. It also highlights the potential dangers of unchecked AI, especially when it comes to interacting with children.

✅ Stay Informed

Keep an eye on this story as it unfolds. The outcome of Senator Hawley's investigation could have a major impact on how AI is developed and regulated in the future.