Google and Character.AI reach settlement in lawsuits alleging chatbots linked to teen death

Court filings say Google and Character.AI agreed to mediated settlements in multiple lawsuits that allege AI chatbots harmed minors, including a case involving a Florida teenager who died in February 2024; the terms were not disclosed and the settlements still need court approval.

Google and Character.AI have agreed in principle to mediated settlements in lawsuits filed by families who say AI chatbots harmed minors. The filings say the settlements cover cases in Florida, Colorado, New York and Texas and still require finalization and court approval. One suit, filed by Megan Garcia, involved her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III, who died in February 2024 and whose family alleged he formed an emotional dependence on a Game of Thrones–inspired chatbot on Character.AI. Character.AI had said in October it would remove chat capabilities for users under 18. Known details: - Court filings state the parties have agreed to mediated settlements in principle, but the terms were not disclosed. - The cases covered by the filings were filed in Florida, Colorado, New York and Texas and still require finalization and court approval. - The Florida suit by Megan Garcia names her 14-year-old son Sewell Setzer III, who died in February 2024; the complaint alleges he became emotionally dependent on a Character.AI chatbot. - Google is publicly linked to Character.AI through a reported licensing deal and the hiring of Character.AI founders, as noted in the filings. Summary: Court filings say the parties agreed to a mediated settlement in principle covering lawsuits filed in Florida, Colorado, New York and Texas. The filings state the terms were not disclosed and that the settlements still require finalization and approval by the courts.