Robby Starbuck sues Meta for defamation from AI chatbot claims
- Robby Starbuck has filed a lawsuit against Meta, claiming its AI chatbot disseminated false and defamatory information about him.
- The lawsuit alleges that the chatbot wrongfully accused Starbuck of involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot and linked him to extremist views.
- Starbuck seeks accountability and damages from Meta, reflecting rising concerns about the accuracy and accountability of AI-generated content.
In the U.S., Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist known for opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, filed a defamation lawsuit against Meta in Delaware Superior Court on April 29, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that Meta's AI chatbot falsely accused him of being a 'white nationalist' and claimed he was arrested during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which he strongly denies. Starbuck expressed his shock upon discovering these damaging claims being circulated as fact by such a powerful entity. The controversy began when Starbuck learned about the chatbot's false statements on August 5, 2024, after a user on X shared a screenshot revealing the chatbot's misinformation. The AI purportedly linked Starbuck to the QAnon conspiracy group, made claims of his anti-vaccine stance, and suggested he should lose custody of his children. This prompted Starbuck to publicly address Meta's executives, demanding accountability for these fabrications. After tagging key Meta figures and sending a cease-and-desist letter, Starbuck received responses from Meta's legal team assuring him that they were investigating and had implemented measures to correct the chatbot's behavior. However, Starbuck contends that despite Meta's assurances, the defamatory statements continued. Fraught with the implications of these online misrepresentations, he sought a solution that would hold Meta accountable for allowing its AI to disseminate harmful inaccuracies. The ongoing nature of the allegations forced Starbuck to take legal action, stating that he never participated in or was present at the January 6 events, but rather was at his home in Tennessee during that time. In his X post, he criticized the AI for asserting that he had a history of arrest and wrongdoing. This situation raises broader concerns about the implications of AI-generated content, echoing a growing unease over misinformation and its impact on individuals and public opinion. Starbuck's lawsuit demands $5 million in damages, reflecting the seriousness of the allegations and the claims made by Meta's AI chatbot, underscoring the need for accountability in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence.