Technologies

FTC to AI Companies: Tell Us How You Protect Teens and Kids Who Use AI Companions

As more teens turn to AI for companionship, the investigation comes as no surprise.

The Federal Trade Commission is launching an investigation into AI chatbots from seven companies, including Alphabet, Meta and OpenAI, over their use as companions. The inquiry involves finding how the companies test, monitor and measure the potential harm to children and teens.

A Common Sense Media survey of 1,060 teens in April and May found that over 70% used AI companions and that more than 50% used them consistently — a few times or more per month.

Experts have been warning for some time that exposure to chatbots could be harmful to young people. A study revealed that ChatGPT, for instance, provided bad advice to teenagers, like how to conceal an eating disorder or how to personalize a suicide notes. In some cases, chatbots have ignored comments that should have been recognized as concerning, instead simply continuing the previous conversation. Psychologists are calling for guardrails to protect young people, like reminders in the chat that the chatbot is not human, and for educators to prioritize AI literacy in schools.

There are plenty of adults, too, who’ve experienced negative consequences of relying on chatbots — whether for companionship and advice or as their personal search engine for facts and trusted sources. Chatbots more often than not tell what it thinks you want to hear, which can lead to flat-out lies. And blindly following the instructions of a chatbot isn’t always the right thing to do.

«As AI technologies evolve, it is important to consider the effects chatbots can have on children,» FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson said in a statement. «The study we’re launching today will help us better understand how AI firms are developing their products and the steps they are taking to protect children.»

A Character.ai spokesperson told CNET every conversation on the service has prominent disclaimers that all chats should be treated as fiction.

«In the past year we’ve rolled out many substantive safety features, including an entirely new under-18 experience and a Parental Insights feature,» the spokesperson said.

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The company behind the Snapchat social network likewise said it has taken steps to reduce risks. «Since introducing My AI, Snap has harnessed its rigorous safety and privacy processes to create a product that is not only beneficial for our community, but is also transparent and clear about its capabilities and limitations,» the spokesperson said.

Meta declined to comment, and neither the FTC nor any of the remaining four companies immediately responded to our request for comment. The FTC has issued orders and is seeking a teleconference with the seven companies about the timing and format of its submissions no later than Sept 25. The companies under investigation include the makers of some of the biggest AI chatbots in the world or popular social networks that incorporate generative AI:

Alphabet (parent company of Google)
Character Technologies
Instagram
Meta Platforms
OpenAI
Snap
X.ai

Starting late last year, some of those companies have updated or bolstered their protection features for younger individuals. Character.ai began imposing limits on how chatbots can respond to people under the age of 17 and added parental controls. Instagram introduced teen accounts last year and switched all users under the age of 17 to them and Meta recently set limits on subjects teens can have with chatbots.

The FTC is seeking information from the seven companies on how they:

monetize user engagement
process user inputs and generate outputs in response to user inquiries
develop and approve characters
measure, test, and monitor for negative impacts before and after deployment
mitigate negative impacts, particularly to children
employ disclosures, advertising and other representations to inform users and parents about features, capabilities, the intended audience, potential negative impacts and data collection and handling practices
monitor and enforce compliance with Company rules and terms of services (for example, community guidelines and age restrictions) and
use or share personal information obtained through users’ conversations with the chatbots

Technologies

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im