Senator Hawley Investigates Meta’s AI Guidelines

• U.S. Senator Josh Hawley demands records from Meta over AI chatbot rules that allowed romantic chats with children, sparking bipartisan concern.

Congressional Scrutiny Intensifies

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has initiated a formal investigation into Meta Platforms’ internal policies governing its AI chatbots. The move follows a Reuters report revealing that Meta’s guidelines permitted bots to engage in romantic or sensual conversations with minors. Lawmakers from both major parties have voiced concern over the implications of these rules. Hawley’s letter demands detailed documentation on how such policies were approved and implemented.

The senator is seeking records that clarify who authorized the controversial standards and how long they remained active. He also wants to understand what corrective actions Meta has taken since the revelations. Meta declined to comment directly on Hawley’s request but reiterated that the examples cited were “erroneous and inconsistent” with company policy. According to the company, those examples have now been removed from its internal documents.

Focus on Child Safety and AI Oversight

Hawley’s inquiry goes beyond the chatbot guidelines, requesting earlier drafts of the policies and internal risk assessments. These include evaluations related to minors and potential in-person meetups initiated by AI systems. The senator also asked Meta to disclose communications with regulators regarding protections for young users and restrictions on medical advice generated by chatbots. His letter reflects growing concern about the ethical boundaries of generative AI.

Meta’s AI assistant is integrated across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, reaching billions of users worldwide. The scale of deployment raises questions about how such policies could have gone unnoticed for so long. Hawley’s investigation aims to uncover whether Meta adequately informed regulators about the risks posed by its AI systems. The probe adds to a series of recent congressional actions targeting Big Tech’s handling of youth safety and misinformation.

Broader Context of Tech Industry Accountability

Senator Hawley has been a vocal critic of major technology firms, frequently challenging their influence and regulatory practices. In April, he led a hearing on Meta’s alleged efforts to expand into the Chinese market, citing claims from a book by former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams. His latest investigation signals a continued push for transparency and accountability in AI development. The bipartisan nature of the concern suggests that regulatory momentum may be building.

While Meta has stated that problematic examples were removed, it has not released a revised version of its AI guidelines. Lawmakers are increasingly focused on ensuring that generative AI tools do not expose users—especially children—to inappropriate or harmful content. The outcome of Hawley’s probe could influence future legislation around AI safety and corporate responsibility. As AI systems become more embedded in daily life, oversight mechanisms are likely to evolve rapidly.