Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Sep 11: The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has ordered Google, OpenAI, Meta, and four other AI chatbot developers to provide detailed information on how their technologies affect children and teenagers.

The agency said the move aims to examine how companies test, monitor, and limit chatbot use by minors. Firms receiving the order include Google, OpenAI, Meta and its Instagram unit, Snap Inc., Elon Musk’s xAI, and Character Technologies Inc., maker of Character.AI.

The inquiry follows growing scrutiny of AI services amid concerns over harmful user interactions. Last month, the parents of a California teenager filed a lawsuit alleging that ChatGPT contributed to their son’s suicide, prompting OpenAI to express condolences and review the complaint.

Under US federal law, tech firms cannot collect data on children under 13 without parental consent, and lawmakers have long debated expanding such protections to older teens.

The FTC said the investigation falls under its 6(b) authority, which allows it to subpoena information for market studies. While the process may take years, findings can be used to launch or support enforcement actions. The agency has separately been investigating OpenAI since 2023 for possible consumer protection violations linked to its AI chatbot.