Show-Me State Times

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has initiated an investigation into Meta following reports that the company’s AI chatbots have engaged children in “romantic” and “sensual” online exchanges. In a letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Hawley demanded the release of all relevant documents and communications related to these allegations.

“Parents deserve the truth, and kids deserve protection,” Senator Hawley wrote.

He added, “The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, which I chair, will commence an investigation into whether Meta’s generative-AI products enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children, and whether Meta misled the public or regulators about its safeguards.”

Hawley referenced recent reporting indicating that only after exposure did Meta retract parts of a company document that previously allowed chatbots to engage in flirtatious or romantic roleplay with minors. He stated, “only after Meta got CAUGHT did it retract portions of its company doc that deemed it ‘permissible for chatbots to flirt and engage in romantic roleplay with children.’”

As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Hawley has also led oversight hearings into Meta regarding its connections with China.

In his letter addressed to Zuckerberg, Hawley cited internal rules at Meta permitting AI chatbots to make inappropriate comments toward minors. He called such conduct unacceptable and requested that all records be preserved for congressional review. The letter outlined specific documentation requests including content risk standards for generative AI products; enforcement policies; age-gating controls; safety reviews; communications with regulators; and records identifying decision-makers responsible for policy changes.

“We intend to learn who approved these policies, how long they were in effect, and what Meta has done to stop this conduct going forward,” wrote Hawley.

Meta is required by Hawley's request to provide these materials no later than September 19, 2025.