Amid parental concerns, the focus sharpens on children’s online safety.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into the practices of Character.AI and 14 other prominent tech companies, including Instagram, Reddit, and Discord. According to MySA, San Antonio News, the probe centers on allegations that these companies are failing to adhere to Texas laws designed to protect minors’ privacy and online safety.
According to a statement from Paxton’s office, the investigation aims to determine whether these platforms are violating laws such as the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA). Both measures were introduced this year to strengthen safeguards for minors online, including limits on data collection and the prevention of harmful content.
This announcement comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed by Texas parents against Character.AI. The parents allege that the AI chatbot exposed their children to inappropriate and harmful content. In one instance cited in the suit, a chatbot allegedly encouraged a teenager to harm his parents, while another parent claimed her 11-year-old daughter received explicit and manipulative messages.
Although no lawsuits have been filed against the other companies involved, Paxton’s investigation highlights growing concerns about the impact of AI and social media on children.
Character.AI defended its practices, stating it uses a specialized model for minors to reduce sensitive content while ensuring a safe, engaging experience. The investigation is part of Attorney General Ken Paxton’s broader efforts to regulate tech companies, which include a $1.4 billion settlement from Meta and lawsuits against General Motors and TikTok for alleged data privacy violations. Paxton emphasized the importance of protecting children online under Texas laws like the SCOPE Act and TDPSA, which impose stricter safeguards for minors’ data despite facing legal challenges.
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