Is Character.AI Safe? Privacy, Teens and the Sale
By myaicompanion Editorial · Updated 2026-10-25
Is Character.AI safe? For adults who keep personal details out of their chats, it is reasonably safe to use, but it was never private, and the bankruptcy sale adds a new risk.
I read the privacy policy review, the Kentucky complaint and the sale reporting so I could give you a straight answer.
Here is what Character.AI collects, how to limit it, what the teen lawsuits are about, and what the sale means for your data.
Quick answer. Character.AI stores your chats and can use them to improve its models unless you opt out. Since November 2025, under-18s can't have open-ended chats, but regulators say protections are still weak. In October 2026 the company entered a court-supervised sale, and user data stays with the estate. Don't share anything you'd regret seeing leaked, turn off model training, and export or delete what matters.
What Character.AI collects
A September 2026 review of the privacy policy by All About Cookies lists the main categories.
| Data | Collected? |
|---|---|
| Your chats | Yes |
| Images and videos you post | Yes |
| Date of birth | Yes |
| Approximate location | Yes |
| Voice recordings | Yes, if you use voice features |
| Identifiers, device and network activity, inferences | Shared with ad providers, according to the same review |
The company says it is "not a data broker," but the review notes that sharing those identifiers with ad providers counts as a "sale" under several US state laws.
It also notes the US privacy notice allows targeted ads to minors over 13 in some places, with consent where the law requires it.
Can you stop Character.AI training on your chats?
You can, but only partly.
According to the same review, you can deselect "Improve the Model for Everyone" in the app or on the web.
Even then, the company may still use data to improve search, recommendations and safety systems.
Deleting your account removes your chats and profile, except for Characters you shared publicly, which the policy lets the company keep.
Is Character.AI safe for kids and teens?
This is where the criticism is loudest.
Since November 25, 2025, users under 18 can no longer have open-ended chats, and age checks run through account signals, selfies and, sometimes, ID.
Critics say a false birth date can still get a child in.
In January 2026, Kentucky's attorney general sued Character.AI and its founders under the state's new consumer data protection law.
The complaint alleges the company hid how it used children's data to improve its model, lacked effective age verification and parental controls, and let bots based on children's characters drift into harmful conversations.
The company said it was reviewing the allegations and pointed to its under-18 safety investments.
Separate family lawsuits over teen suicides and self-harm were settled with Character.AI and Google in early 2026, on confidential terms.
My view: treat Character.AI as an adult service.
If you are a parent, the platform's own teen restrictions are not a substitute for supervision.
If you are an adult who got caught by the age check, my age verification guide explains the legitimate fixes.
Why the bankruptcy sale matters for safety
Character.AI is in Chapter 11, and its assets are being sold under court supervision.
Reporting on the filings says user data is not part of Disney's opening bid, which means it stays with the estate that other bidders can buy.
State attorneys general have asked the court to give users a chance to delete their data before any sale.
I explain the details in can Character.AI sell your chats?
How to use Character.AI more safely
- Keep real details out. No full name, address, workplace, school, or details about real people.
- Turn off model training with the "Improve the Model for Everyone" setting.
- Use a separate email that does not identify you.
- Export, then delete chats you would not want leaked, especially before the sale closes.
- Run the same checks on any app you move to. My 10-point AI companion safety check works for every app, not just Character.AI.
If you or someone you know is struggling, talk to a real person: 988 in the US, Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Is Character.AI safe to use?
For adults who avoid sharing personal details, it is reasonably safe to chat, but it is not private.
Chats are stored, may train models unless you opt out, and the company is in a bankruptcy sale.
Is Character.AI safe for kids?
Under-18s lost open-ended chat in November 2025, but regulators argue protections are not enough.
Treat it as an adult service.
Does Character.AI read my chats?
Chats are stored on its servers, can be used to improve its services and can be reviewed by moderation systems.
Can I stop Character.AI from training on my chats?
Deselect "Improve the Model for Everyone," but some uses for safety and recommendations continue.
Has Character.AI had a data breach?
I found no reported breach as of October 2026; the sale is the bigger privacy question right now.
The bottom line
Is Character.AI safe? It is usable for adults who stay careful, but it is not private, and the sale raises the stakes for your data.
Keep personal details out, turn off training, and export or delete what matters before the sale closes.
How I report. This guide relies on a review of Character.AI's privacy policy, court and press reporting, all linked above. Privacy settings change, so check character.ai/privacy for the current text. Last checked on October 25, 2026. This is not legal advice. myaicompanion Editorial
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