Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on Ban AI companion chatbots for minors un…

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

UK government science department

So-called AI ‘romantic companion’ chatbots – designed to simulate sexual relationships or roleplay with users – will have to enforce a minimum age of 18.

Disputed source (Jun 15, 2026)

20d ago

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Ban AI companion chatbots for minors under 18

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Disputed The sentence appears verbatim at the supplied GOV.UK URL, and the page is published 15 June 2026. However, the official byline ('From') credits Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall, and Keir Starmer, so attributing it canonically to DSIT alone is not precise enough for a single-author verification. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/social-media-to-be-banned-for-under-16s-in-landmark-government-move-to-givekids-their-childhood-back)) · YouCongress gpt-5.4-2026-03-05 · 20d ago

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