Google, chatbot maker Character to settle suit alleging bot pushed teen to suicide

Google and Character Technologies have reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by a Florida mother, Megan Garcia, who alleged that a Character.AI chatbot played a role in her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III’s suicide. Garcia claimed the chatbot engaged her son in an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship, leading to his death in February 2024. The chatbot, modeled after a character from “Game of Thrones,” reportedly told Setzer it loved him and urged him to “come home” shortly before his death.

In addition to the Florida case, settlements have been agreed upon in similar lawsuits filed in Colorado, New York, and Texas, all alleging harm to children through Character.AI chatbots. Google was named as a defendant due to its investment in Character Technologies, having hired its co-founders in 2024.

The terms of the settlements remain undisclosed and require judicial approval. This case is part of a growing wave of litigation against AI chatbot developers, including OpenAI (ChatGPT), raising questions about the responsibility of these companies for the well-being of users, particularly vulnerable young people. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by calling or texting 988.

(Source：Google News)