US FTC's study on chatbot industry could shape future legislation, Ferguson says
By Amy Miller and Mike Swift ( June 23, 2026, 21:24 GMT | Comment) -- Lawmakers eager to pass news laws reining in companion chatbots need empirical evidence to sort through policy debates that revolve around anecdotal reports and high-profile incidents, and the US Federal Trade Commission's forthcoming report on the industry could provide it, Chairman Andrew Ferguson told MLex. The FTC 6(b) study into chatbots will also inform the agency's enforcement strategy around chatbots, but Ferguson signaled the agency would take a cautious approach first.While efforts to block US states from enacting artificial intelligence legislation falter, the US Federal Trade Commission is trying a different strategy to sway lawmakers eager to rein in companion chatbots: empirical evidence....
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