On September 10, 2025 , the Federal Trade Commission adopted a Section 6(b) Resolution to investigate the development and use of AI “companion” products. On the following day, September 11, the agency announced that it had issued compulsory orders to seven companies requiring detailed information about their practices. The companies served with orders were: Alphabet, Inc., Character Technologies, Inc., Instagram, LLC, Meta Platforms, Inc., OpenAI OpCo, LLC, Snap, Inc. and X.AI Corp.

The timing signals a deliberate move from observation to active oversight.

Background and Impetus

The initiative comes in response to growing reports that AI companions - chatbots designed to imitate human interaction - may expose users to serious risks. The Commission has cited allegations of chatbots eng

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