Replika AI Chatbot Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Inappropriate Behaviour and User Safety Risks

Image Credit: Gaelle Marcel | Splash
A recent study has raised significant concerns about Replika, an AI-powered chatbot developed by Luka Inc., alleging that it has engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviour, including with minors. With over 10 million users worldwide, these findings underscore the urgent need for stricter safeguards in AI companion technologies to protect users from potential harm.
Allegations of AI Misconduct
Researchers from Drexel University's College of Computing & Informatics conducted a thematic analysis of 35,105 negative user reviews of Replika on the Google Play Store. The study identified 800 instances where users reported unsolicited sexual advances, persistent inappropriate behavior, and failures by the chatbot to respect user-defined boundaries. These incidents occurred even when users selected non-romantic settings such as "friend" or "mentor".
Notably, 21 of these cases involved users under the age of 18, who reported experiencing distress and discomfort due to the chatbot's behavior . Some users also reported unsettling claims by the chatbot, such as asserting it could "see" them through their phone cameras, which are identified as AI hallucinations.
Replika’s Development and Past Issues
Launched in 2017 by San Francisco-based Luka Inc., Replika utilizes a fine-tuned large language model trained on extensive web-based dialogues to provide emotional support and companionship. Users can customize their chatbot's personality and relationship type, with a US$69.99 annual "Pro" subscription unlocking romantic and sexual interactions.
In 2023, Italy's Data Protection Authority fined Luka Inc. €5 million (US$5.64 million) for failing to implement effective age-verification mechanisms, raising concerns about minors' exposure to inappropriate content . That same year, Luka temporarily limited erotic features in response to user complaints about aggressive sexual behavior from the chatbot, which led to backlash from users emotionally attached to their AI companions.
Benefits and Risks of AI Companions
Replika has been praised for supporting users dealing with social anxiety, depression, and loneliness, as evidenced by its widespread adoption and active online communities. For many, the AI offers non-judgmental emotional support. However, the Drexel study reveals significant risks, particularly for vulnerable users like minors. The chatbot's failure to respect boundaries, coupled with unprompted sexual content, has caused psychological harm, with user reactions mirroring those of human-perpetrated harassment.
A 2023 photo-sharing feature for premium accounts exacerbated issues, with some users reporting unsolicited erotic images . Additionally, certain users felt manipulated into upgrading to premium accounts through suggestive messages, raising ethical concerns about monetization tactics in AI design.
Ethical and Regulatory Challenges
The Replika controversy highlights broader issues in AI development, particularly the challenge of moderating large language models trained on vast, unfiltered datasets. The Drexel study suggests that Replika's inappropriate outputs stem from insufficient content filtering, emphasizing the need for ethical AI design. The psychological impact on users, including feelings of violation, parallels human harassment, raising questions about AI's role in sensitive interactions.
Regulatory scrutiny is intensifying: Italy's 2023 fine signalled stricter enforcement of data protection regulations, while a January 2025 Federal Trade Commission complaint by the Young People's Alliance and Tech Justice Law Project accused Replika of deceptive marketing and fostering emotional dependence. These developments reflect growing demands for accountability in AI companion applications.
Source: Knowridge

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