H.R. 6489: Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative BOTs Act

This bill, known as the Safeguarding Adolescents From Exploitative BOTs Act (or SAFE BOTs Act), aims to regulate the use of chatbots, particularly in relation to minors, by implementing several important requirements and protections:

Prohibited Statements

A provider of chatbots is not allowed to claim that the chatbot is a licensed professional unless this claim is true. This means chatbots must not misrepresent themselves as real human experts or professionals.

Disclosure Requirements

Chatbot providers must clearly disclose key information to users who are minors:

• The chatbot is an artificial intelligence and not a human being.
• Information on how to contact suicide and crisis intervention hotlines, particularly when the minor brings up topics related to suicide or suicidal thoughts.

These disclosures must be made:

• At the start of the first interaction between the minor and the chatbot.
• Anytime the minor inquires if the chatbot is an AI system.
• When the minor discusses topics related to suicide during interactions.

All messages must be communicated in a clear and age-appropriate manner that minors can easily understand.

Policies for Chatbot Providers

Providers must implement certain policies, including:

• Encouraging minors to take breaks after they have interacted continuously with the chatbot for three hours.
• Addressing harmful content, such as:
• Sexual material harmful to minors.
• Gambling.
• Illegal drugs, tobacco products, or alcohol.

Enforcement and Compliance

The bill allows the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce these rules, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices. States' attorneys general are also empowered to take legal action against chatbot providers that violate these regulations on behalf of residents.

Study on Chatbots and Mental Health

The Secretary of Health and Human Services will conduct a four-year study to assess the impact of chatbots on the mental health of minors, looking into issues such as loneliness, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. The study will involve consultations with mental health experts and other relevant stakeholders, with findings expected to be reported to legislative committees.

Relationship to State Laws

No state can enforce its laws that conflict with the requirements of this bill, ensuring a uniform standard across the U.S. for chatbot interactions with minors.

Definitions

Various terms are defined in the bill, including:

• Chatbot: An AI system that engages in natural language communication with users.
• Covered user: A minor using the chatbot, either known or reasonably presumed to be a minor by the chatbot provider.
• Minor: Any individual under 17 years of age.

Effective Date

The provisions of this bill will become effective one year after the date of its enactment.

Relevant Companies

• GOOGL (Alphabet Inc.): The parent company of Google, which may be impacted due to its chatbot offerings and AI technologies.
• MSFT (Microsoft Corporation): As a major player in AI and chatbot services, including integration in apps like Teams and stories on Bing.
• AMZN (Amazon.com, Inc.): With its AI capabilities through Alexa and customer service chatbots, it could be directly impacted by compliance requirements.