A toy for adults or a temptation for children: the debate around Meta's new gadget

Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Meta's new gadget, the Muse Charm, at the company's developer conference — a keychain with a camera and microphones reminiscent of a Tamagotchi. The device is designed for adults and provides access to the AI agent Muse. Critics, including psychologists and child protection organizations, fear that its cute design will attract children and cause addiction. Privacy advocates point to data collection risks from the always-on camera. Meta insists the device is intended only for adults and is taking measures to verify age.

Mark Zuckerberg last week unveiled Meta's new gadget, the Muse Charm, at the company's annual developer conference. The device resembles a 1990s Tamagotchi: a small keychain with a loop, a camera, and microphones on the front panel. The official launch is scheduled for December. The Muse Charm provides direct access to the AI agent Muse, introduced less than a month ago, without needing to take out a smartphone. The device can perform complex tasks: search the internet, fill out forms, make purchases, or order a ride. Although Meta insists the Muse Charm is intended exclusively for adults, its cute character, reminiscent of a Teletubby, has drawn criticism. Safety experts, psychologists, and child protection organizations have spoken out against the use of an image they believe will attract a child audience. The organization The White Hatter published a piece noting that children and teenagers are especially prone to attributing human qualities to AI and may become emotionally attached to the device. Privacy advocates have also expressed concerns. Professor Jayton Sadowski of Monash University stated that the always-on camera and microphone represent a powerful data collection system, capturing information about those nearby without their consent. Meta representative Daniel Roberts rejected claims of attracting children, stating that the avatars are meant to make the interface more human for adults. The company conducts age verification and allows users to opt out of data collection.