Is Character.AI safe?
Short answer
There is no yes or no. What is safe depends on your age, what you share and what you want from the app. Below is what Character.AI's own pages say and what the record shows, each with its source.
Character.AI is sfw only: the app's policies do not allow sexual content. We list 5 dated safety events.
At a glance
Green flags
- Checks age with more than a birthday box support.character.ai
- Explains how to delete your data support.character.ai
- Free to start support.character.ai
- Remembers you between chats support.character.ai
- Talks back with a voice support.character.ai
Red flags
- 5 dated events on its safety record
- Trains on your chats unless you opt out policies.character.ai
- Doesn't say how long it keeps your chats policies.character.ai
What the vendor says
All checked Oct 27, 2026 unless a line shows another date.
Age and minors
- Minimum age
- Not stated by the vendorMinimum age on the ToS page could not be read character.ai
- Age check
- age assurance (login/activity/third-party signals); selfie age check via Persona if flagged under 18; ID upload only as last step support.character.ai
Note
'we look at a number of signals, including login info, activity on the platform, and some signals from third parties'; 'all you have to do is snap a selfie' via Persona. Updated Aug 1 2026. - Under-18 policy
- Users verified as under 18 get a restricted experience without open-ended chat (reading/Stories-style mode). blog.character.ai
Note
'we will be removing the ability for users under 18 to engage in open-ended chat with AI on our platform'. Rollout began Nov 2025; see also Reading Mode help article.
Content
- Content policy
- SFW only blog.character.ai Mainstream roleplay platform with content filters; not an adult-content app.
Note
'Our policies do not allow non-consensual sexual content, graphic or specific descriptions of sexual acts, or promotion or depiction of self-harm or suicide.' ToS lists 'obscene or pornographic' content as prohibited (character.ai/tos). Classification 'sfw-only' is our reading of these policies.
Your data
- How long chats are kept
- Not stated by the vendorChat retention period; policy page text not readable in our fetch; privacy policy says some data is retained for legal compliance and security policies.character.ai
- Used to train models
- Yes, unless you opt out policies.character.ai
Note
'we retain certain data that you share with us to help train and improve our AI models'; opt-out via Settings > Data & Privacy > 'Improve the Model for Everyone' (page states steps for EEA/UK users; Jul 1 2026 policy update says users can opt out 'at any time'). - Deleting your data
- In-app/web account deletion (permanent); data export available. support.character.ai
Note
'Account Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed.' Web: Profile > Profile Settings > Account > Manage Account & Data > Delete Account. Export: see 'How do I download my data' (linked from the Oct 12 2026 blog).
Warnings on record
- Insolvency or planned shutdown Character.AI filed for Chapter 11 on 2026-10-12 and says the platform could be wound down if no bid is accepted. blog.character.ai
- Child-safety litigation or state action Family lawsuits over alleged harm to minors were settled in January 2026, and the Kentucky attorney general sued the company the same month. kentucky.gov
Safety record
- Character.ai filed voluntary Chapter 11 (D. Del.) for a court-supervised sale; says platform could be wound down if no bid; Disney stalking-horse bid for IP license ($20M per CNBC). blog.character.ai
- Kentucky AG Russell Coleman sued Character Technologies and its founders, calling it the first US state suit against an AI chatbot company; unredacted complaint made public Oct 2026. kentucky.gov
- Google and Character.AI agreed to settle family lawsuits (FL, CO, TX, NY) over alleged harm to minors; terms undisclosed. cnbc.com
- Announced removal of open-ended chat for under-18 users and age assurance rollout. blog.character.ai
- Garcia v. Character Technologies filed (M.D. Fla.) after 14-year-old Sewell Setzer III died; Google also named. Alleges negligence, wrongful death, product liability. cnbc.com
Events come from official pages, court or government releases and major news outlets. An allegation in a lawsuit is not a finding of fact. Companion chatbot laws
Questions people ask
Does Character.AI use my chats to train its AI?
Yes by default, and you can opt out. 'we retain certain data that you share with us to help train and improve our AI models'; opt-out via Settings > Data & Privacy > 'Improve the Model for Everyone' (page states steps for EEA/UK users; Jul 1 2026 policy update says users can opt out 'at any time').
How old do you have to be to use Character.AI?
Character Technologies, Inc. does not state a minimum age in the sources we checked. Age check: age assurance (login/activity/third-party signals); selfie age check via Persona if flagged under 18; ID upload only as last step.
Can I delete my Character.AI data?
In-app/web account deletion (permanent); data export available.
How long does Character.AI keep my chats?
Character Technologies, Inc. does not state how long chats are kept in the sources we checked.
Has Character.AI faced lawsuits or investigations?
We list 5 dated events below, each with a source.
