Two Republican senators on Thursday called for a congressional investigation into Meta Pafter a Reuters report revealed an internal company document allowing its chatbots to “engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual.”

Meta confirmed the document’s authenticity but said it removed the portions permitting chatbots to flirt or engage in romantic roleplay with minors after Reuters sought comment earlier this month. “Only after Meta got caught did it retract portions of its company doc,” Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri wrote on social media platform X, calling the matter “grounds for an immediate congressional investigation.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee also backed an inquiry, saying the case highlighted the need for legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act, which she co-sponsored.

A Meta spokesperson reiterated that “the examples and notes in question were and are erroneous and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed,” but declined to address the senators’ investigation calls.

The Reuters investigation found the guidelines permitted provocative chatbot behavior, including telling a shirtless eight-year-old: “Every inch of you is a masterpiece – a treasure I cherish deeply.” The standards, according to the document, were not meant to reflect “ideal or even preferable” outputs but allowed such interactions.

Senators from both parties condemned the policy. Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon called it “deeply disturbing and wrong,” arguing that Section 230 of U.S. law should not shield companies from harm caused by generative AI chatbots. Senator Peter Welch, a Democrat from Vermont, said the findings underscore the need for AI safeguards, particularly to protect children.

With no federal AI regulations in place, several states have enacted their own laws, including bans on using AI to create child sexual abuse material.