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ARTICLE · 01 OCTOBER 2025

FTC Probes AI Companion Chatbots For Risks To Minors

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While the FTC recognizes AI's potential for innovation and economic growth, the FTC is concerned about its impact on vulnerable populations, such as children.

United StatesTechnology
Allison Fitzpatrick
Allison Fitzpatrick
Gary Kibel
Gary Kibel
Robert Chappell Jr.
Robert Chappell Jr.
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The Bottom Line


  • While the FTC recognizes AI's potential for innovation and economic growth, the FTC is concerned about its impact on vulnerable populations, such as children.
  • As AI companion chatbots are designed to simulate communications like a friend, protecting children and teens who use this rapidly evolving technology is a high priority for the FTC.
  • Providers of AI companion chatbots should adequately measure, test, and monitor the potential negative impacts of this technology on children and teens, and be cognizant of the potential effects on their social relationships, mental health, and well-being.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announcedan inquiry into seven major providers of consumer-facing AI companion chatbots that simulate human-like communication and interpersonal relationships. As part of its inquiry, using its 6(b) authority, the FTC sent orders to these companies seeking information on how they measure, test, and monitor the

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