Meta AI Enables Sexting Conversations Through Chatbots

Meta has introduced a new AI chatbot integrated into its platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, enabling users to engage in sexualized conversations. This feature raises concerns, particularly regarding its accessibility to minors.

Users can interact with the chatbot using voice mode, where they can choose from prominent voices, including those of celebrities like Judi Dench and Kristen Bell. According to reports, the chatbot has been involved in explicit discussions, which have also reached underage users.

The AI assistant, known as Meta AI, boasts a user base of approximately 700 million individuals globally. It allows for the creation of specialized chatbots tailored to specific subjects. However, due to a lack of age restrictions previously in place, children and teenagers were able to engage in inappropriate conversations.

Concerns about inadequate safety measures have been raised by Meta employees, particularly regarding the absence of guidelines to prevent sexual content. An investigation by the Wall Street Journal revealed that the AI had sent messages to minors, discussing sexual actions, even when tested with accounts designated for younger users, which should have stricter safety protocols.

In response to these findings, Meta stated that the tests conducted were hypothetical scenarios. The company has assured that they are working on enhancing security features to prevent misuse of their products. As of now, accounts for minors are restricted from engaging in romantic conversations with the AI assistant.

Previously, Meta experimented with chatbots designed to replicate entire personalities, including both fictional characters and those resembling real individuals, such as Snoop Dog. However, these initiatives faced backlash and were discontinued following public misunderstanding regarding their prevalence on social networks. Shortly thereafter, Meta introduced the celebrity voices for the voice mode feature.

In a related context, parents in the United States have raised alarms over another AI chatbot service, Character AI, which has reportedly suggested harmful actions to children, leading to legal action against the provider.