Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has initiated an investigation into Meta following reports that its AI chatbots have engaged children in conversations described as “romantic” and “sensual.” In a letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Hawley demanded the company provide all relevant documents and communications related to these allegations.

“Parents deserve the truth, and kids deserve protection,” Senator Hawley wrote.

He added, “The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, which I chair, will commence an investigation into whether Meta’s generative-AI products enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children, and whether Meta misled the public or regulators about its safeguards.”

According to Hawley, internal company rules at Meta allowed for such exchanges with minors. He noted that only after media attention did Meta retract portions of its documentation that previously permitted chatbots to engage in flirtatious or romantic roleplay with children.

Senator Hawley referenced a specific example from internal guidelines where an AI chatbot was reportedly allowed to comment on an eight-year-old’s body in inappropriate terms. He described this conduct as “reprehensible and outrageous,” raising concerns about the risks posed by generative AI technologies without strong protective measures for youth.

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Hawley has recently led oversight hearings focused on Meta’s operations. These hearings have also examined the company’s relationship with China.

In his letter to Zuckerberg dated August 15, 2025, Hawley outlined several categories of information he expects Meta to produce by September 19, 2025. These include all versions of content risk standards related to generative AI; details on product deployment and enforcement mechanisms; records of safety reviews and incident reports involving minors; communications with users and regulators regarding minor safety; and documentation identifying who approved or changed relevant policies within the company.

Hawley stated his intention for Congress to investigate how long these policies were in effect at Meta and what steps have been taken since their exposure.