Meta curbed research about VR safety risks to kids, whistleblowers say

A caller radical of whistleblowers are coming guardant to allege that Meta is restricting probe into however its virtual world offerings could negatively interaction kids and teens, The Washington Post reports.

Four existent and erstwhile Meta staffers allege that aft an earlier whistleblower, Frances Haugen, leaked interior probe to Congress, the institution called connected its lawyers to surface and sometimes veto probe connected VR and younker safety, The Post reports. The caller whistleblowers are being represented by ineligible nonprofit Whistleblower Aid, which besides worked with Haugen.

In a statement, Meta spokesperson Dani Lever said the allegation its ineligible squad sidelined probe is based connected a fewer examples “stitched unneurotic to acceptable a predetermined and mendacious narrative; successful world since the commencement of 2022, Meta has approved astir 180 Reality Labs-related studies connected societal issues, including younker information and well-being.” Lever said Meta probe has led to “significant merchandise updates” including genitor supervision tools, and that its VR devices are made for radical implicit 13.

The allegations are expected to instrumentality halfway signifier astatine a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing connected Tuesday called “Hidden Harms: Examining Whistleblower Allegations that Meta Buried Child Safety Research.” Three Republicans connected that committee person already asked Meta for much accusation connected its protections for kids and teens connected its Horizon Worlds virtual platform.