FTC refers AI complaint against Snap to DOJ

The Federal Trade Commission has referred to the Department of Justice a complaint against Snap (SNAP), Inc. The complaint pertains to the company’s deployment of an artificial intelligence powered chatbot, My AI, in its Snapchat application and the allegedly resulting risks and harms to young users of the application. The FTC’s investigation began in connection with our order compliance review of Snap following a 2014 settlement with the company for violations of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 45(a). The Commission also investigated additional potential violations of the FTC Act. The investigation uncovered reason to believe Snap is violating or is about to violate the law and that a proceeding is in the public interest, so the Commission has voted to refer a complaint to the DOJ, according to the procedures outlined in the FTC Act. Although the Commission does not typically make public the fact that it has referred a complaint, we have determined that doing so here is in the public interest. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Department of Justice in this and other matters as we advance our shared interest in protecting the American people and in enforcing the law without fear or favor.