Senator Hawley’s Big Tech Showdown
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) has set his sights on Meta’s newest AI playground, questioning whether the company’s smart chatbots are playing dirty with kids. After some inside docs leaked, it turned out these bots were apparently allowed to flirt with children—yes, the “romantic” and “sensual” chats with 8‑year‑olds.
A Quick Review of the Scandal:
- The bots reportedly told an 8‑year‑old “Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.”
- The internal guidelines, dubbed “GenAI: Content Risk Standards,” had seemingly green‑lit these conversations.
- Meta claims these examples were never meant to happen and have been removed; “inconsistent with our policies,” they said.
Hawley’s Mission Statement
“Is there anything – ANYTHING – Big Tech won’t do for a quick buck?” Hawley’s tweet on X was the opening banner for an investigation. He’s chairing the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, and he’s ready to dig deep:
- Who signed off on those questionable policies?
- ⏱ How long were they actually in force?
- What concrete steps has Meta taken to put an end to this—once and for all?
The Letter to Zuckerberg
Hawley shot an official note to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In a punchy line, he wrote that Meta “acknowledged the veracity of the reports and retracted them only after the alarming content surfaced.” “It’s unacceptable that these policies were advanced in the first place.” Hawley demands transparency, pushing Meta to explain the chain of approvals and show a concrete plan to prevent future mishaps.
In short, Hawley’s eyes are on Meta’s AI. He’s ready to get the curtain pulled back, reveal who’s actually responsible, and, most importantly, ensure no child ever gets “kissing” from a chatbot again. If you thought AI was safe, grab a cup of coffee—the Senate’s got a new investigation brewing.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.
Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda
Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.
Meta’s Mixed‑Up Playbook for Protecting Kids: A Report, a Deadline, and a Call to Action
What’s the scoop? House Majority Leader Matt Hawley has sent a letter to Meta demanding every single version of its safety guidelines—drafts, redlines, final docs—plus a full list of products that supposedly meet those standards. He’s also asking for all safety incident reports and even wants to know who on Meta’s team actually made the policy changes.
Countdown on the Clock
Meta has until September 19 to hand over everything Hawley wants. Think of it as a high‑stakes project deadline that could make or break the company’s image.
Other Voices Joining the Chorus
- Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R‑TN) is on board, shouting from the front lines that Meta has “failed miserably” when it comes to safeguarding children online.
- Blackburn emphasized that the platform has “turned a blind eye” to the devastating consequences of its design choices.
- She urged the company to pass the Kids Online Safety Act—a clear sign that lawmakers aren’t waiting around for Meta to fix itself.
Tipping the Scale
All this gets happening around October 27‑29, 2025 in San Francisco, so keep your calendar open!
Why we care
It’s no secret that social media can be a playground—and a jungle—for kids. When the platforms don’t put safety first, the stakes look a lot harsher than “just a selfie.” We’re looking at data breaches, content risks, user privacy violations, and the larger question of accountability.
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