Google and Character.AI Settle Suits Over Child Harm, Including Suicide, Linked to AI Chatbots

While the agreement is not finalized, it would include settlement of cases in Florida, Texas, New York and Colorado over the use of chatbot services. In one high-profile case, a 14-year-old Orlando teenager, Sewell Setzer III, died by suicide in February 2024 after interacting with one of Character.AI's chatbots. The teen's mother, Megan L. Garcia, filed suit in a Florida US District Court later that year.

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A representative for Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A representative for Character.AI referred to the state filings, but could not comment on the settlements.

Last year, Character.AI made major changes to its platform, barring those under 18 from engaging in open-ended chat with its chatbots. Instead, teens can build ...