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FTC Investigates AI Chatbot Companions from Meta, OpenAI, and More
2 min read The FTC is investigating AI chatbot companions from Meta, OpenAI & others—probing risks around privacy, manipulation & dependency. This could set the first big rules for AI “relationships.” September 12, 2025 14:46
The FTC has opened an inquiry into AI “companion” chatbots from companies like Meta and OpenAI, zeroing in on how these bots handle user data, emotional manipulation risks, and their broader societal impact.
Why it matters: AI companions—marketed as friends, confidants, or even romantic partners—are exploding in popularity. But their intimacy with users puts them in a regulatory gray zone. Questions around privacy, dependency, and emotional exploitation are no longer hypothetical—they’re urgent.
The precedent: If regulators decide these chatbots cross into deceptive or harmful practices, it could set ground rules for an entire category of consumer AI. Think of it as the first real stress test of whether AI “relationships” should be treated like consumer apps—or something far more sensitive.
The ripple effect: Heavy scrutiny could slow down startups building companion bots, but it could also weed out exploitative practices before they become entrenched.
Hot take: The FTC’s move signals a bigger shift—AI isn’t just about productivity tools anymore. When algorithms step into the role of “friend,” regulators are asking the uncomfortable question: should these bots be bound by rules closer to healthcare and counseling than entertainment apps?
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