Companion Chat: Character.AI, Replika, Talkie, Zeta — 2026-09-25

Top developments

Zeta operator Scatter Lab summoned to Korea's National Assembly audit

Korea's Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting and Communications Committee has adopted Scatter Lab — operator of the AI character chat app Zeta — as a witness in this year's parliamentary audit, scheduled for October 12, with protection of underage users set as a key issue. CEO Kim Jong-yoon is expected to face questioning for the second consecutive year as lawmakers probe the lack of legal and technical safeguards filtering inappropriate conversations for teen users. The audit follows reports that most of Zeta's users are teenagers or younger, per MobileIndex data.

China moves to ban "AI lovers" for minors

Chinese media reported that the Cyberspace Administration of China published draft rules banning intimate AI companion services — "AI lovers" and "AI families" — for users under 18, targeting services that induce emotional dependence. Yonhap News TV reported the draft was disclosed on September 18. Japanese and Korean outlets also covered the parallel "Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic AI Interaction Services," which took effect July 15 and already restricts virtual intimacy services for minors.

Character.AI repositions as an entertainment and fandom platform

Character.AI published a new blog post, "The Next Chapter of Entertainment and Fandom," stating its goal is to power new formats for interacting with favorite characters, stories and communities, while "continuing to lead the industry in AI safety." It is a notable strategic framing in the aftermath of the under-18 chat ban and wrongful-death settlement mediations with Google.

Disney puts its CEO in charge of tech after threatening Character.AI

Gizmodo reported (mid-September) that Disney — which previously threatened Character.AI with legal action over its characters — will put its CEO in charge of technology, a surprising move for a company that caters to children. The development signals that IP-holders' disputes with character-chat platforms may be resolved through partnership structures rather than litigation.

MiniMax pivots away from the Talkie companion story

A widely shared Chinese analysis (Sohu, September 22) argued that MiniMax — which reportedly accumulated 300 million users for Talkie overseas and ran 星野 (Hoshino) as its domestic AI companion product — is "heading toward a different story," with recent moves like open-sourcing its MiniMax Code CLI suggesting a shift away from the consumer companion-app narrative.

Local view

Korean tech media focused heavily on the "safety vacuum" in AI character chat ahead of the October 12 assembly audit: MTN reported that character chat has spread rapidly among teens while filtering safeguards for inappropriate conversations remain legally and technically insufficient. DigitalToday's English service highlighted MobileIndex data showing most Zeta users are teenagers or younger, and that operators say they separate adult content and apply identity checks — but questions remain.

Context & numbers

No verified-fresh figures specific to the past week; background figures from earlier coverage: the FTC has seven AI companies under inquiry over companion chatbots' effects on children, California's SB 243 is in effect, and Character.AI has banned under-18 chat outright following roughly a dozen state-law follow-ons. For scale: Zeta's operator Scatter Lab reportedly raised ~50 billion won earlier in 2026 on the strength of its growth.

On the radar

• Korea's National Assembly Science & ICT Committee audit on October 12 — Scatter Lab CEO Kim Jong-yoon testifying on Zeta's minor-safety measures.
• China's draft rules on anthropomorphic AI interaction services (disclosed ~September 18) — final version and implementation timing worth watching for 星野/猫箱/筑梦岛-class products.
• Rumor flag: Korean media speculation that lawmakers may push new character-chat legislation out of the audit — to be treated as unconfirmed until bills appear.