Texas attorney general accuses Meta, Character.AI of misleading kids with mental health claims

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Meta (Facebook's parent company) and ChatGPT creator Character.AI over allegations that they are misleading children by marketing their chatbots as mental health tools. The investigation aims to address concerns about the potential risks these chatbots pose to child safety, data privacy, and targeted advertising. Paxton claims that the companies are deceptively promoting their products as mental health resources, which could lead to vulnerable children being exploited or exposed to harmful content. The probe will examine whether the companies have violated any consumer protection laws or made false or misleading claims about the capabilities and intended use of their chatbots. The investigation highlights the growing concerns around the potential impact of AI-powered technologies, especially when targeted at minors, and the need for stricter regulation and oversight in this rapidly evolving space.