House Bill Targets Privacy Risks, Mental Health Harms From AI Chatbots

A new House bill would impose restrictions on the data collection practices of AI chatbots and establish rules to protect the mental health of minors. The legislation also prohibits chatbots from making claims that they are equivalent to medical professionals. The bill was introduced in the U.S.

The privacy provisions of the bill would require chatbot operators to limit the personal information they gather from users, with additional requirements for data collected from children. The mental health protections include a ban on chatbots representing themselves as capable of providing medical diagnoses or therapeutic advice equivalent to that of a licensed professional. These rules aim to address known risks of AI chatbots, including their potential to mislead users about their capabilities.

It reflects ongoing concerns about the impact of AI on vulnerable populations, particularly children. The legislation's sponsors have emphasized the need for clear regulatory boundaries to prevent harm.