Character AI Users Are Convinced the “Bugs” Aren’t Bugs at All

A lot of users aren’t buying the idea that Character AI’s issues are just technical glitches.

Yes, some bugs are real. Haptics breaking. App crashes. Login problems. These can happen on any platform.

But it’s the pattern, the timing, and the way specific features keep failing, always the ones people care about most, that’s making people suspicious.

We’re not just talking about text glitches.

• Characters randomly going “restricted”

• Entire NSFW models like Soft Launch or DeepSqueak breaking

• Sudden “SYSTEM OVERRIDE” alerts from the OOC system

• Bots flagging safe conversations like kissing or holding hands

And when these happen, there’s usually no announcement. No fix. Just silence.

That’s why more and more users are starting to believe the bugs are a cover for something else.

Why many think this is intentional

One of the most repeated theories is that the changes are being rolled out intentionally, but labeled as bugs to avoid backlash.

When violence filters were first introduced, users were told it was temporary or accidental. Yet years later, the same filter is still active.

Now, with the new NSFW models, the same pattern is playing out. Users get a few days of access, then the model breaks, quietly disappears, or gets flagged.

That’s not random. That’s a cycle.

Then there’s the issue of restrictions:

• Innocent bots with long intros suddenly getting flagged

• Public bots quietly turned private (softbanned)

• No explanation of what content triggered the restriction

Some users are even digging through terms of service to find clauses that waive class action rights or force arbitration. Others are noticing that “safe” models only work reliably through the browser, not the app.

It doesn’t help that support updates go to Discord instead of the official subreddit. For a lot of paying users, this feels like a bait-and-switch strategy to push them into upgrading to c.ai+ or drive away adult use entirely.

Why the conspiracy theories are growing louder

Not everyone agrees with the theory that Character AI is doing this on purpose, but the frustration is real.

Some users still think it’s just a badly run product. Slow dev cycles, weak communication, and bugs stacking up.

But when the same features break over and over, and when the fixes seem designed to quietly limit adult content or expression, it stops feeling random.

It also doesn’t help that:

• Softbanned bots used to be invisible without warning

• Now they’re flagged, but without telling you what triggered it

• Even terms like “weapon” in a backstory can be enough to restrict a character

Most platforms would tell users what went wrong. Character AI doesn’t. That silence leaves a gap, and people fill it with speculation.

Whether those theories are accurate or not, it says a lot that so many users feel the need to second-guess everything.

App issues that go beyond censorship

A big chunk of users aren’t even talking about filters. They’re just trying to use the app and running into basic problems.

Some can’t log in with Google anymore. Others report app crashes when opening a bot’s character page. Haptic feedback stopped working for many without warning.

And when updates roll out, they often break more than they fix.

There’s also a gap between the app and the website. Certain models work perfectly on the browser but break inside the app. Some users are learning to only use the web version, especially when dealing with flagged content.

All of this paints a picture of a system that isn’t just restricted, it’s unstable. Whether intentional or not, users are getting tired of treating every new feature like a temporary experiment.

One user summed it up best: “This feels less like maintenance and more like manipulation.”

The bigger concern behind the silence

Character AI’s refusal to explain what’s going on is starting to wear people down.

When adult models vanish or bots get flagged, users are left guessing. No clear notice, no direct updates unless you happen to follow their Discord server.

That disconnect is frustrating for casual users and paying customers alike.

The silence creates suspicion.

Some worry that the company is quietly phasing out features to make the platform more marketable to advertisers or younger users. Others believe it’s a way to push free users into paying for a better experience.

Either way, the result is the same: people feel ignored, misled, and left in the dark.

Even those defending the platform admit that transparency is a major issue.

It’s no longer just about bugs

This isn’t just about broken features or missing updates. It’s about trust.

When users can’t rely on the platform to explain changes or keep features stable, every “bug” starts to feel like a trap. People don’t know if what works today will still work tomorrow.

That kind of instability pushes users away, especially those who’ve stuck around for years.

For some, it’s already too late. They’ve moved on to other platforms or stopped using Character AI altogether.

There are plenty of character AI alternatives now, and users are finding them more reliable or at least more honest about their limits.

Even if some of the suspicion is overblown, the core problem is clear: bugs can be forgiven, silence can’t.

A single update or explanation could turn things around, but right now, it feels like no one’s listening.