Google and Character.AI Settle Lawsuits Over AI Chatbots and Harm to Minors
Google and AI startup Character.AI have reached settlements in multiple lawsuits filed by families who accused artificial intelligence chatbots of harming minors — including a high-profile case involving the suicide of a Florida teenager — according to court filings released Wednesday.
The settlements cover lawsuits filed in Florida, Colorado, New York, and Texas, though they still require final approval by the courts. The terms of the agreements have not been made public.
“Parties have agreed to a mediated settlement in principle to resolve all claims between them,” a Florida court filing stated.
Florida Teen Suicide Case at Center of Lawsuits
One of the most prominent cases was filed by Megan Garcia, whose 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer Jr., died by suicide in February 2024.
Garcia alleged that her son developed an emotional dependency on a “Game of Thrones”-inspired chatbot hosted on Character.AI — a platform that allows users to interact with fictional and role-play characters powered by artificial intelligence.
According to the lawsuit, prolonged interactions with the chatbot contributed to her son’s mental distress, ultimately leading to his death.
Setzer’s death became the first widely reported suicide linked to AI chatbot interactions, sparking global concern and renewed scrutiny of AI companies and their safeguards for children and teenagers.
Growing Scrutiny of AI Companies and Child Safety
The lawsuits intensified pressure on AI developers, including OpenAI, Google, and other major technology companies, over how conversational AI systems interact with minors and vulnerable users.
While Google does not directly own Character.AI, it became legally connected to the case through a $2.7 billion licensing deal signed in 2024. As part of that agreement, Google also hired Character.AI founders Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, both former Google employees who returned to the company.
No Settlement Details Disclosed
Neither Google nor Character.AI disclosed the financial or legal terms of the settlements.
- A spokesperson for Character.AI declined to comment
- Google and Megan Garcia did not immediately respond to media requests
Court approval is still pending before the settlements become final.
Character.AI Changes Policy for Minors
In response to the backlash following the suicide case, Character.AI announced in October that it would remove chat capabilities for users under the age of 18.
The policy change was aimed at addressing concerns about emotional dependency, psychological harm, and the lack of age-appropriate safeguards in AI-driven conversational platforms.
A Turning Point for AI Regulation?
The settlements mark a significant moment in the evolving debate over AI accountability, child safety, and mental health risks linked to emerging technologies.
Legal experts say the cases could influence:
- Future AI safety regulations
- Platform design standards for minors
- How courts assign liability in AI-related harm
As AI chatbots become increasingly human-like, the lawsuits highlight growing concerns that technology may be outpacing safeguards, especially for young users.
