Provision record
Character.AI · Character.ai Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver

High severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 206 of 352 platforms
Stay ahead of the changes
Track Character.AI and get the diff the day its terms change.
Share 𝕏 Share in Share 🔒 PDF
Document Record

What it is

By agreeing to these terms, you give up your right to sue Character.AI in court or join a class action lawsuit, and must instead resolve disputes through private arbitration, except for small claims.

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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Arbitration is a private process where a neutral third party decides disputes rather than a judge or jury. This waiver prevents users from joining together in class action lawsuits, which are often the only practical way to pursue small individual claims against a large company.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
4
Months Monitored
May 10, 2026
First Seen
May 22, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 2555 other provisions on other platforms.

Change history

modified Jun 16, 2026

Previous version had empty excerpt; current version now provides full arbitration clause text with explicit exception for small claims.

View full change record →

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

If you have a dispute with Character.AI, including over data privacy, content use, or account issues, you cannot sue in court or join a class action unless you opted out within 30 days of agreeing to the terms; you must instead use JAMS arbitration, and your total potential recovery is capped at $100 or amounts paid.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Within 30 days
    Send an email to legal@character.ai within 30 days of first agreeing to the Terms, stating that you do not want to resolve disputes with Character.AI by arbitration. Include your account information and a clear statement of your intent to opt out.

How other platforms handle this

Chegg Medium

If, however, this Class Action Waiver is deemed invalid or unenforceable with respect to a particular Dispute...neither you nor Chegg will be entitled to arbitration of such Dispute.

Tinder Medium

the arbitration provider, National Arbitration and Mediation ("NAM"), shall not accept or administer any demand for arbitration and shall administratively close any arbitration unless the Party bringing such demand for arbitration can certify in writing that the terms...were fully satisfied.

Wise Medium

Neither you nor we may elect arbitration of any claims seeking only individualized relief asserted by you or us in small claims court, so long as the action remains in that court and is not removed or appealed de novo...

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
You and Character.AI agree that any and all disputes or claims that have arisen or may arise between you and Character.AI, whether arising out of or relating to these Terms (including any alleged breach thereof), the Website or Services, any aspect of the relationship or transactions between us, shall be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration, rather than a court, in accordance with the terms of this Arbitration Agreement, except that you may assert individual claims in small claims court, if your claims qualify. JAMS will administer the arbitration and will select the arbitrator as described below. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the validity and enforcement of this Arbitration Agreement. You and Character.AI agree that, by entering into these Terms, you and Character.AI are each waiving the right to a trial by jury or to participate in a class action. Your rights will be determined by a neutral arbitrator, not by a judge or a jury.

Excerpt from Character.AI's Terms of Service

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (regulatory & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: This provision is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) and is subject to ongoing scrutiny under California consumer protection law, which has periodically challenged the enforceability of class action waivers.

Insight

Unlock the full institutional analysis

Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.

Applicable agencies

  • Federal Trade Commission (ftc)
    Oversees unfair or deceptive business practices and can investigate companies that mislead consumers about data collection, sharing, or use.
    Who can file: Anyone affected by the company's practices (US or international)
    What you need: Your account details, a timeline of relevant events, and a description of the specific issue
    What to expect: Complaints inform FTC enforcement priorities and investigations but do not result in individual resolution or compensation
    File a complaint →
  • State Attorney General
    State AGs in California, New York, Texas, and other states can investigate violations of state consumer protection and privacy laws, including CCPA (California), SHIELD Act (New York), and equivalents.
    Who can file: Residents of states with comprehensive privacy laws — primarily California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, and Utah
    What you need: Evidence of the violation, explanation of how your state rights were affected, and your account or contact information with the company
    What to expect: Outcomes vary by state. May result in investigation, enforcement action, or requirement for the company to change practices. No direct individual compensation in most cases.

    Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form

Provision details

Document information
Document
Character.ai Terms of Service
Entity
Character.AI
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 7, 2026
Last verified
May 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-008832
Document ID
CA-D-00121
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
46f6e1a8e8b7e96332c5e7584411513fca3c44e2ecf77571159e9be67a01a2a4
Analysis generated
May 7, 2026 23:51 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Character.AI
Document: Character.ai Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-008832
Captured: 2026-05-07 23:51:07 UTC
SHA-256: 46f6e1a8e8b7e963…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/characterai/characterai-terms-of-service/provision/CA-P-008832/mandatory-arbitration-and-class-action-waiver/
Accessed: Aug. 6, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

Related Analysis

Get the research letter

Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Character.AI's Mandatory Arbitration and Class Action Waiver clause do?

Arbitration is a private process where a neutral third party decides disputes rather than a judge or jury. This waiver prevents users from joining together in class action lawsuits, which are often the only practical way to pursue small individual claims against a large company.

How does this clause affect you?

If you have a dispute with Character.AI, including over data privacy, content use, or account issues, you cannot sue in court or join a class action unless you opted out within 30 days of agreeing to the terms; you must instead use JAMS arbitration, and your total potential recovery is capped at $100 or amounts paid.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 206 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Character.AI?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Character.AI.