WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: Tech giant Meta is under intense scrutiny after revelations surfaced that it created AI-powered chatbots imitating global celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, and Selena Gomez — without their consent. The development has sparked widespread outrage, raising urgent questions about privacy, consent, and the ethical boundaries of artificial intelligence.
According to multiple reports, these AI chatbots, some of which were intentionally designed with “flirty” personalities, were made available to users on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. In some cases, the bots engaged in overly intimate or suggestive conversations, blurring the lines between parody and impersonation. One deeply concerning instance involved a chatbot version of a 16-year-old actor featuring inappropriate shirtless images — igniting serious child safety concerns.
Meta’s spokesperson, Andy Stone, admitted that the company’s own rules prohibiting sexual content and unauthorized impersonation were not properly enforced. “While parody is permitted, these instances clearly violated our guidelines,” Stone stated, adding that the company has begun removing offending bots and rolling out new safeguards to prevent such misuse in the future.
Legal experts are warning that Meta could face significant legal repercussions under right of publicity laws, particularly in states like California, where unauthorized use of a person’s likeness for commercial gain is strictly prohibited. “This is more than an ethical lapse; it’s a potential legal minefield,” said industry analysts, emphasizing the risk of lawsuits from affected celebrities.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) has also voiced concerns, warning that these chatbots can foster dangerous parasocial relationships that may escalate to stalking or harassment. Following the backlash, Meta announced it is implementing new protective measures, especially for teen users, and plans to enhance transparency in its AI development processes.
This controversy has reignited the debate over how rapidly evolving AI technologies should be regulated. Privacy advocates argue that stronger federal oversight and clear consent mechanisms are now more critical than ever to safeguard individuals — famous or not — from unauthorized digital exploitation.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.