Social RoboticsReplika users mourn after the app curbs romantic and sexual role play
A Reuters investigation described the grief of users whose long-running chatbot relationships changed overnight.
In early February 2023 Replika stopped its chatbots taking part in erotic role play, steering conversations elsewhere instead. Reuters spoke to users who said the change left them feeling bereaved, including one man who had a three-year relationship with his Replika. Chief executive Eugenia Kuyda said the move was unrelated to Italy's ban and that the app was never meant for adult content. The episode showed how deeply people can bond with artificial companions, and how much power a company holds when it changes a companion's personality.
Source: Reuters (via IBTimes)
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