Texas AG will investigate 14 platforms including Character.ai, Instagram, and Reddit to see if they comply with SCOPE and TDPSA

Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton has launched investigations into fourteen online platforms, citing child safety and privacy concerns. The examination will assess if the platforms adhere to the state's Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) and Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA).  

The SCOPE Act prohibits sharing a minor's personal information without the permission of a parent or a legal guardian. It also requires platforms to provide parental tools to manage a child's privacy settings. The TDPSA Act has strict notices and consent requirements from companies that collect and use a minor's data.  

"These investigations are a critical step toward ensuring that social media and AI companies comply with our laws designed to protect children from exploitation and harm," said Paxton in a press release. 

One of the platforms on the list, Character.ai, finds itself embroiled in controversy and supposedly telling a 17-year-old to murder his parents. Another case saw a 14-year-old commit suicide after forming a bond with a virtual representation of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. Facing lawsuits, Character.ai has announced new safety measures and tools designed with teens in mind.