Character.AI prohibits creating characters or content that impersonates real people, whether public figures or private individuals, without their permission.
This analysis describes what Character.AI's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision addresses reputational, privacy, and intellectual property risks associated with AI-generated content depicting real people, and its reference to 'permissible contexts' leaves room for interpretive uncertainty about what uses are allowed.
Interpretive note: The document references 'permissible contexts' for use of name or likeness without defining them, leaving the practical scope of the prohibition ambiguous.
Users who create characters based on real people, including celebrities or public figures, may have that content removed if Character.AI determines it constitutes impersonation, and the document does not define what 'permissible contexts' means in practice.
How other platforms handle this
You must not submit any user content to Anker's Services that is or has ever been the subject of any threatened or actual legal proceedings or other similar complaints.
you will not provide a Rating or Review for any Merchant or business for which you have an ownership interest, employment relationship, or other affiliation...you will not submit a Rating or Review in exchange for payment, free food items, or other benefits
In assessing misuse, we consider factors such as evidence that a report was motivated by bias or hatred (e.g., based on protected characteristics such as race, sexual orientation, or gender identity) or other malicious intent.
"Be Creative But Don't Impersonate: Don't impersonate public figures or private individuals, or use someone's name, likeness, or persona without permission or outside of permissible contexts.Excerpt from Character.AI's Community Guidelines
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Impersonation and use of likeness without consent engage state right of publicity laws (notably in California and New York), the FTC Act's prohibition on deceptive practices, and potentially the Lanham Act for trademark-related …
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
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This provision addresses reputational, privacy, and intellectual property risks associated with AI-generated content depicting real people, and its reference to 'permissible contexts' leaves room for interpretive uncertainty about what uses are allowed.
Users who create characters based on real people, including celebrities or public figures, may have that content removed if Character.AI determines it constitutes impersonation, and the document does not define what 'permissible contexts' means in practice.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 141 platforms. See the full comparison.
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