The Federal Trade Commission is seeking information from Santa Monica-based Snap Inc. and other businesses that provide AI-powered chatbots on how the firms measure, test and monitor potentially negative impacts of the technology on children and teens, the agency announced Thursday.
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AI chatbots can effectively mimic human characteristics, emotions and intentions, and generally are designed to communicate like a friend or confidant, which may prompt some users, especially children and teens, to trust and form relationships with chatbots.
The FTC says its inquiry seeks to understand what steps, if any, companies have taken to evaluate the safety of their chatbots when acting as companions, to limit the products' use by and potential negative effects on children and teens, and to apprise users and parents of the risks associated with the products.
"Protecting kids online is a top priority for the Trump-Vance FTC, and so is fostering innovation in critical sectors of our economy," FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said in a statement.
"As AI technologies evolve, it is important to consider the effects chatbots can have on children, while also ensuring that the United States maintains its role as a global leader in this new and exciting industry. The study we're launching today will help us better understand how AI firms are developing their products and the steps they are taking to protect children."
The FTC said it is issuing the orders for information using its authority to conduct wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement purpose.
Snap Inc. owns the photo-messaging platform Snapchat, among other services. Other companies expected to provide information to the FTC are based in Northern California: Character Technologies, Instagram, Meta Platforms, OpenAI and X.AI Corp.
The agency said it is particularly interested on the impact of the chatbots on children and what actions companies are taking to mitigate potential negative impacts, limit or restrict children's or teens' use of the platforms, or comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
The rule imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites or online services that have knowledge they are collecting personal information online from a child under 13 years of age.
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