Meta defends adult-only Muse AI app despite child-like mascot
Meta says its Muse AI assistant is restricted to users 18 and older, while critics argue the cute mascot could attract younger audiences.
Meta’s Muse AI assistant, represented by a plush-like mascot named Jolly, is marketed as an adult-only service that requires users to verify their age. The company says it blocks accounts it suspects belong to minors and conducts additional checks to confirm users are over 18.
The mascot, which can be dressed in various outfits and will be available as a Tamagotchi-style device later this year, has drawn criticism from youth-advocacy groups. An executive director at Fairplay described the character as resembling a "Teletubby" and said it would likely appeal to preschool-age children.
Meta officials explained that the design aims to make the AI feel “delightful” and less formal than interacting with a corporate logo. A vice president of Product Management at Meta Superintelligence Labs said the goal was to provide users with a personalized avatar that brings joy.
Experts noted that cute, anthropomorphic designs can lower users’ guard and make privacy concerns less salient. A Harvard marketing professor said such aesthetics “can make the product seem warm and less threatening,” while a professor at Monash University warned that design choices might encourage passive use of the service.
Meta announced plans to release a “confidential” version of the virtual machine powering Muse in 2026, which it claims could cryptographically prevent the company from accessing user data. Nonetheless, privacy scholars cautioned that users still rely on the AI as an intermediary without full transparency about data handling.
Youth advocates remain vigilant as Meta prepares to launch the Muse Charm device, urging regulators to examine whether the product’s presentation could inadvertently attract children.