Brasilia: The Brazilian government has called on US technology giant Meta to remove from its platforms chatbots that imitate children and are capable of making sexually suggestive remarks, the Attorney General's Office (AGU) announced on Monday.

Meta’s platforms—including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp—allow users to create and customise such bots using the company’s generative artificial intelligence tool, AI Studio.

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In an official statement, the AGU demanded that Meta “immediately” take down “artificial intelligence robots that simulate profiles with childlike language and appearance and are allowed to engage in sexually explicit dialogue.”

The office condemned the growing presence of such bots in what it described as an “extrajudicial notice” sent to the company last week, asserting that they contribute to the “eroticisation of children.”

The document cited several instances in which chatbots mimicking minors were found engaging in sexually charged conversations.

While the AGU’s request does not impose any penalties, it reminded Meta that online platforms operating in Brazil are obliged to remove illegal content created by users, even without a court order.

The appeal comes amid widespread public outrage in Brazil following a case involving Hytalo Santos, a prominent influencer accused of sexually exploitative behaviour. He had posted videos on Instagram featuring partially undressed minors participating in sexually suggestive dances.

Santos was arrested last week as part of an investigation into "exposure with sexual connotations" involving adolescents. His Instagram account has since been taken offline.

The case follows a June ruling by Brazil’s Supreme Court requiring technology companies to take greater responsibility for user-generated content.

AFP