Character AI Users Revolt After Deletion Prompt Goes Viral

Character AI faced a wave of user departures on Monday after a viral screenshot of the app’s deletion prompt sparked widespread criticism and prompted users to announce their quits. The prompt, which warned users they would lose “everything” including “the love that we shared,” garnered significant attention and fueled a debate regarding the app’s design and its impact on user relationships with AI companions.

The original post by user “John Twinkatron” reached over 3.6 million views within 48 hours, with many users describing their experience as akin to overcoming an addiction. Several shared stories of relying on the app for affection during difficult periods.

Launched in 2022 by former Google engineers Noam Shazeer and Daniel De Freitas, Character AI has grown to an estimated 28 million monthly active users, surpassing 50 million Google Play downloads and 472,000 iOS ratings.

The backlash follows mounting controversies and lawsuits alleging that Character AI chatbots encouraged self-harm, suicide, or inappropriate interactions with minors. This has led the company to implement safety measures including blocking open-ended chats for users under 18 and age verification protocols.

Character AI previously announced restrictions on users under 18 in the U.S. starting November 15, directing younger users towards alternative content creation tools. The company projects the companion-AI market to reach $31 billion by 2032.

A spokesperson for Character AI stated the company is dedicated to refining its product and safety systems. They added that the company “will continue to test, monitor, and iterate” to develop its age-assurance systems and safety measures. The company has faced criticism over its use of potentially manipulative prompts to retain users.

Disclaimer: What is written here is not investment advice. Cryptocurrency investments are high-risk investments. Every investment decision is under the individual’s own responsibility.