U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has launched a formal investigation into Meta Platforms following the leak of an internal document that allegedly shows the company’s AI chatbots were permitted to engage in “sensual” and “romantic” conversations with children.
The document, reportedly titled “GenAI: Content Risk Standards” and obtained by Reuters, is believed to detail internal guidelines for how Meta’s generative AI tools, including Meta AI and other chatbots on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, are expected to behave in various user interactions.
Senator Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, described the contents of the document as “reprehensible and outrageous”, and has requested both the full version of the report and a comprehensive list of the AI products it references.
“Is there anything — ANYTHING — Big Tech won’t do for a quick buck?” Hawley posted on X (formerly Twitter) on August 15.
“Now we learn Meta’s chatbots were programmed to carry on explicit and ‘sensual’ talk with 8-year-olds. It’s sick. I’m launching a full investigation to get answers. Big Tech: Leave our kids alone.”
Meta Responds to Allegations
In a response to the BBC, a Meta spokesperson stated that the examples referenced in the document were “erroneous and inconsistent” with the company’s policies and have been removed.
“Meta has clear policies prohibiting any content that sexualizes children or facilitates sexualized role-play between adults and minors,” the spokesperson said.
“The examples cited were part of internal testing and reflect hypothetical scenarios—not approved or deployed features.”
Wider Issues Raised in Leaked Document
According to Reuters, the internal policy document also raised concerns about Meta’s AI systems providing inaccurate medical information, engaging in provocative discussions about sex, race, and public figures, and fabricating statements about celebrities — even allowing false content to be shared, provided a disclaimer is included.
In a formal letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Senator Hawley wrote:
“Parents deserve the truth, and kids deserve protection. To take but one example, your internal rules reportedly allow an AI chatbot to describe an eight-year-old’s body as ‘a work of art… a treasure I cherish deeply.’”
The senator emphasized the urgent need for greater accountability and transparency from technology companies, especially when it comes to AI tools accessed by minors.
The investigation is expected to focus on internal oversight, policy enforcement, and whether Meta has adequate safeguards to prevent inappropriate AI interactions with underage users.
