Tech News & Insight
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has initiated a broad 6(b) study into consumer-facing AI companion chatbots, focusing on risks to children and teens and the governance controls companies have in place. The agency issued orders to seven firms operating at the center of generative AI and social platforms: Alphabet, Character Technologies (Character.AI), Instagram, Meta Platforms, OpenAI, Snap, and xAI. Under its Section 6(b) authority, the FTC is seeking detailed information on how these providers design, test, deploy, and monetize AI companions, and how they limit harms to children and adolescents. The Commissionโs vote to proceed was unanimous, signaling cross-party attention on youth safety in AI.