Conservative Activist Robby Starbuck Files Defamation Suit Against Meta
LOS ANGELES — Robby Starbuck, a conservative activist, has initiated a defamation lawsuit against Meta, claiming that the company’s artificial intelligence chatbot made false statements about him. He alleges that the AI incorrectly suggested he was involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Starbuck, who is known for his opposition to corporate diversity programs, discovered these damaging claims in August 2024 while publicly criticizing the "woke" policies of Harley-Davidson. A dealership unhappy with his activism shared a screenshot from Meta’s AI to discredit him, leading him to investigate the matter further. “The screenshot was filled with lies,” Starbuck stated on social media, expressing his disbelief over the situation.
He claims these false accusations have significantly harmed his reputation and posed risks to his family’s safety. Starbuck asserts that he was in Tennessee during the January 6 events, and his lawsuit, filed in Delaware Superior Court, seeks over $5 million in damages.
Meta responded via email, stating that it has been working to improve its AI systems and has already implemented updates.
Starbuck’s case is part of a broader trend, with individuals taking legal action against AI platforms for misinformation. Earlier this year, a conservative radio host in Georgia also sued OpenAI, claiming that false information from ChatGPT accused him of embezzlement.
According to James Grimmelmann, a professor of digital law, tech companies may be held accountable for misinformation from their AI systems. He argues that a simple disclaimer cannot shield these companies from defamation claims.
Starbuck attempted to notify Meta about the false claims and sought their assistance in resolving the issue. His lawsuit alleges that Meta failed to take accountability, letting false information circulate about him for months. Instead of rectifying the matter, the company reportedly removed his name from its responses entirely.
Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, acknowledged Starbuck’s concerns and described the situation as "unacceptable." He noted that the company is investigating the issue and aims to find solutions.
In addition to falsely linking him to the Capitol riot, Starbuck contends that Meta’s AI also made false allegations of Holocaust denial against him and claimed he had been convicted of a crime despite having no criminal record.
Starbuck emphasized that if such falsehoods can happen to him, they could easily target anyone else, potentially influencing electoral outcomes. “You could be the next target too,” he warned.
