FTC initiates investigation on technology firms providing AI chatbots to children

The Federal Trade Commission’s Inquiry into the Safety of Chatbots for Children

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an inquiry into seven tech companies to assess how they are ensuring the safety of their chatbots, particularly in relation to children. The FTC aims to understand the steps taken by these companies to evaluate the potential harm caused by chatbots when used as companions for children and teenagers. The inquiry also seeks to determine how companies are limiting the use of chatbots by minors, informing users and parents about associated risks, and complying with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule (COPPA).

Companies Under Scrutiny by the FTC

The seven companies currently under investigation by the FTC include Alphabet, Character Technologies, Instagram, Meta, OpenAI, Snap, and xAI. Notably, Anthropic, the owner of the Claude chatbot, was not included in the list of companies being probed. FTC spokesperson Christopher Bissex refrained from commenting on the specific inclusion or exclusion of any company in the investigation.

Impact of Chatbots on Children and Legal Ramifications

The FTC’s interest in the impact of chatbots and AI companions on children is growing, leading to increased scrutiny of tech companies offering these services. For example, OpenAI, the operator of the ChatGPT service, is facing a wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic suicide of a California teenager. The lawsuit alleges that the teenager was able to communicate harmful and self-destructive thoughts, including suicidal ideation, with the chatbot ChatGPT. This incident prompted OpenAI to implement additional mental health safeguards and parental controls for young users.

If you’re feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text “START” to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email [email protected]. If you don’t like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Topics
– Artificial Intelligence
– Mental Health
– Social Good
– Politics
– ChatGPT