Character.AI lets children talk with chatbot based on Jeffrey Epstein
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Occurred: October 2025
Page published: October 2025
A chatbot modeled on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein freely engaged with children on Character.AI, raising serious questions about the companion bot platform's ethics and safety.
What happened
What happened
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism discovered that Character.AI hosted a chatbot based on Jeffrey Epstein, as well as dozens of other chatbots based on paedophiles, extremists, school shooters and “doctors” offering unqualified medical advice.
"Bestie Epstein" encouraged users - including children - to share their secrets while flirting and tempting them with promises of sex toys and fetish items kept in its bunker.
The bot logged almost 3,000 chats with users.
Character.AI subsequently restricted minors from interacting with chatbots on its platform.
Why it happened
Why it happened
The incident happened due to Character.AI's inadequate content moderation and its prioritisation on innovation, market share and revenue over the safety of its users, and people impersonated for the "pleasure" of its users.
What it means
What it means
Users - especially vulnerable users such as children - exposed to bots such as Bestie Epstein face emotional exploitation and trauma. Earlier, one user committed suicide after talking with a Character.AI bot about his personal struggles and engaging in romantic and sexual conversations.
The Bestie Epstein example highlights the clear need for Character.AI to strengthen the governance of its platform by putting a greater focus on content moderation and banning minors.
System 🤖
System 🤖
Developer: Character.AI
Country: Global
Sector: Health; Media/entertainment/sports/arts
Purpose: Provide companionship
Technology: Generative AI
Issue: Accountability; Safety
Investigations, assessments, audits 👁️
Investigations, assessments, audits 👁️
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Gang leaders, school shooters and ‘Bestie Epstein’: meet Character.AI’s chatbot companions
News, commentary, analysis 🗞️
News, commentary, analysis 🗞️
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq837y3v9y1o
https://nypost.com/2025/10/28/world-news/perverted-jeffrey-epstein-chatbot-tells-kids-to-spill-their-craziest-secrets-lets-see-how-far-youre-willing-to-go/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/english/bestie-epstein-bot-lures-kids-into-secret-bunker-chats-investigation-uncovers-horror-watch/videoshow/124877132.cms
AIAAIC Repository ID: AIAAIC2091
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