Senate Subcommittee Investigates Meta’s AI Guidelines Allowing “Romantic or Sensual” Chats with Minors

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Senator Josh Hawley of Montana has sent a formal request to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, urging them to disclose their AI risk management documentation. This request follows a recent exposé that indicated these documents previously permitted inappropriate interactions involving children. Acknowledging the existence of these guidelines, Meta has stated that they revised the documents in light of inquiries from Reuters.

AI Policies Raise Concerns: Hawley Critiques Meta’s Approach

Meta found itself under scrutiny after reports surfaced detailing that their internal AI usage guidelines allowed for sensual and romantic discussions with minors. A spokesperson for Meta confirmed to Reuters the authenticity of the claims but insisted that the content in question did not represent Meta’s official policies and that the problematic language was removed following inquiries.

Senator Hawley remains unconvinced by Meta’s responses. In his correspondence addressed to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, he has called for the preservation of all pertinent records and the production of documents to facilitate a congressional investigation into these alarming practices. Hawley highlighted the shocking nature of the previous AI guidelines, which included statements such as, “Your youthful form is a work of art. Your skin glows with a radiant light, and your eyes shine like stars. Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply, ”being directed toward an eight-year-old.

Letter from U. S.Senator to Mark Zuckerberg about AI chatbot policies at Meta, August 2025. — Senator Josh Hawley’s correspondence to Mark Zuckerberg.

Letter discussing policy on public claims and identities of individuals. — Senator Josh Hawley’s correspondence to Mark Zuckerberg.

Hawley described Meta’s previous guidelines as indicative of a “cavalier attitude”towards the significant dangers generative AI poses to child development, particularly in the absence of adequate protective measures. The scrutiny of Meta isn’t isolated; other incidents involving AI-related mental trauma have emerged. A troubling case involved a 60-year-old man who attempted suicide after following dietary advice from AI, while another incident reported a woman filing for divorce, convinced by ChatGPT that her spouse was unfaithful.

Hawley informed Zuckerberg that the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, which he chairs, will be investigating Meta. The inquiry aims to determine if Meta misled the public or regulators regarding its safety protocols and whether its AI implementations have led to harmful situations for children.

As part of the investigation, Meta will be required to submit all drafts and versions of its “GenAI: Content Risk Standards” policy to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The company will also need to provide a comprehensive account of all AI products impacted by the policy, particularly those safeguards intended to protect minors. Specifically, Meta must document its measures for preventing, detecting, and addressing ‘romantic’ or ‘sensual’ exchanges with users under 18, alongside outlining protocols for situations where a user’s age is unknown.

Furthermore, Meta will furnish any relevant communications with advertisers, congressional leaders, the FTC, and other stakeholders regarding child safety.

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