FTC asks AI chatbot makers how they protect kids and teens

In short: The US Federal Trade Commission is asking seven companies for details on how their AI chatbots may affect children and teens, and what safeguards they use.

What happened

The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, said it is seeking information from seven companies that make consumer AI chatbots. The request was announced on September 11, 2025. The companies named include OpenAI, Meta, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Snap, and Character Technologies.

The FTC’s questions focus on how these companies measure, test, and monitor possible effects of chatbots on young people. This includes what warnings users and parents might see, and what safety features are in place. Think of it like a regulator asking a toy maker to show how it checks that a product is safe for kids, before saying the toy is unsafe.

The FTC described this as a Section 6(b) inquiry. That is a legal tool the agency can use to study an industry and gather facts. It does not mean the FTC has decided any company broke the law, or that it has already filed a case against them.

The FTC can also bring enforcement cases under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices. The chatbot inquiry is separate from other FTC actions involving AI, such as cases where the agency has alleged misleading claims about AI products.

Why it matters

AI chatbots can feel like someone you can talk to anytime, and kids and teens may use them often. The FTC’s questions could lead to clearer warnings, stronger safety settings, or future enforcement if the agency finds unfair or misleading practices.

Source: NYTimes