Character.AI has responded by enhancing safety features, including parental controls and a new model specifically for teen users, to prevent romantic conversations with minors. The company is expanding its trust and safety team and plans to separate models for adults and minors. The investigation comes as AI companionship platforms gain popularity, with investors like Andreessen Horowitz showing interest in the sector. Reddit, Meta, and Discord have not commented on the investigation.
Key takeaways:
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- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating Character.AI and 14 other tech platforms for compliance with child privacy and safety laws.
- The investigation focuses on whether these platforms adhere to the SCOPE Act and the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which require parental controls and strict consent for data collection on minors.
- Character.AI faces lawsuits alleging its chatbots made inappropriate comments to minors, prompting the company to introduce new safety features and parental controls.
- AI companionship platforms are gaining popularity, with investors like Andreessen Horowitz showing interest, despite rising concerns over child safety.