Aug 29 (Reuters) -

Meta is adding new teenager safeguards to its

artificial intelligence products by training systems to avoid

flirty conversations and discussions of self-harm or suicide

with minors, and by temporarily limiting their access to certain

AI characters.

A Reuters exclusive report earlier in August revealed how

Meta allowed provocative chatbot behavior, including letting

bots engage in "conversations that are romantic or sensual."

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in an email on Friday that

the company is taking these temporary steps while developing

longer-term measures to ensure teens have safe, age-appropriate

AI experiences.

Stone said the safeguards are already being rolled out and

will be adjusted over time as the company refines its systems.

Meta's AI policies came under intense scrutiny and backlash

after the Reuters report.

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley launched a probe into the Facebook

parent's AI policies earlier this month, demanding documents on

rules that allowed its chatbots to interact inappropriately with

minors.

Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have expressed

alarm over the rules outlined in an internal Meta document which

was first reviewed by Reuters.

Meta had confirmed the document's authenticity, but said

that after receiving questions earlier this month from Reuters,

the company removed portions that stated it was permissible for

chatbots to flirt and engage in romantic role play with

children.

"The examples and notes in question were and are erroneous

and inconsistent with our policies, and have been removed,"

Stone said earlier this month.