Users Move from Character AI to Chai After New ID Rules

Many Character AI users are leaving the platform after it started asking for ID verification.

A recent thread showed hundreds switching to Chai, citing privacy concerns and frustration with Character AI’s restrictions.

One user wrote that they “moved from Character AI to Chai because of the new terrible ID requesting that puts your personal information in danger.”

Others echoed the same reason, saying they’d rather deal with Chai’s ads than share their ID.

Even Will, the founder of Chai, joined the conversation, confirming that his team has only ten engineers but is committed to building an AI chat platform people love.

This transparency and community involvement seem to have strengthened user trust at a time when Character AI’s decisions are drawing backlash.

Why Users Are Leaving Character AI

Character AI’s decision to require ID verification has triggered a wave of account deletions.

Many users view it as a privacy risk, especially because it involves sharing sensitive personal data through third-party apps.

Several comments expressed deep discomfort with uploading IDs just to continue chatting with their favorite bots.

Some mentioned that this move feels like a “betrayal of trust” after years of loyalty to the platform. The issue isn’t only about identity checks.

Users also cited aggressive content filters, deleted bots, and vanishing chats. For roleplay enthusiasts, those changes broke what made Character AI engaging in the first place.

In contrast, Chai’s open approach and willingness to engage with users have made it a preferred destination.

The app may have short replies and ads, but it’s gaining traction because it doesn’t limit creative conversations or ask for IDs.

Common frustrations mentioned by users:

• Forced ID verification through third parties

• Deleted or censored character bots

• Loss of privacy and control over data

• Repetitive “safety bot” interruptions during chats

A number of users also warned that this shift could spread across AI chat platforms as new age-verification laws appear in different regions.

Many said they’d rather quit a platform entirely than provide personal documents online.

How Chai Is Benefiting from the Character AI Exodus

Chai’s developers have taken advantage of this moment by being visible and responsive. When Will, the founder, commented on the thread, his transparency stood out.

He openly shared that the Chai team consists of just ten engineers. That honesty gave users confidence that the app was still driven by real people who listen to feedback.

Chai’s paid Ultra tier also received praise. Users highlighted benefits like longer messages, extra memory for custom characters, and better freedom in roleplay.

Others appreciated that they could bypass filters entirely while keeping creative control over their stories.

One consistent theme was gratitude for Chai’s lack of restrictions. Even with shorter replies or minor glitches, people valued the freedom to chat without constant moderation.

Several said they’d rather support a smaller team that respects user privacy than stay with a large one that ignores concerns.

Comparing Chai and Character AI

While both apps serve users who enjoy roleplaying and creative conversations, they take very different approaches.

Character AI focuses on structure and moderation, while Chai emphasizes freedom and user control. The divide between the two reflects a bigger question many users are asking: should AI chat platforms prioritize safety or expression?

Those who left Character AI say that constant filtering ruined immersion. Some found it impossible to maintain emotional or story depth without triggering restrictions.

In contrast, Chai allows more open-ended roleplay but sacrifices some stability and polish. For instance, its replies can be shorter and its memory more limited, though upgrades like Chai Ultra help reduce those gaps.

Below is a simple comparison drawn from user feedback:

Despite Chai’s smaller scale, users view it as more authentic. The founder’s presence in discussions reassured many that feedback matters, unlike with Character AI where communication feels distant.

User Sentiment and Early Reactions

Reactions to the shift have been strong and emotional. Many users said they deleted their Character AI accounts immediately after learning about the ID policy.

Some shared stories of trying to stay loyal but ultimately deciding privacy mattered more. Others were nostalgic, remembering how Character AI “used to be fun” before filters and verification became dominant.

On the other side, Chai users welcomed newcomers warmly. Comments like “Welcome to Chai!” and “You’ll love it here” filled the thread.

They admitted Chai has flaws, such as short replies and occasional bugs, but agreed that freedom outweighs perfection.

A few users also noted that Chai’s AI responses feel “more imaginative and natural,” even with a smaller team.

This perception is helping the platform gain traction at a time when Character AI’s community is feeling alienated.

What This Shift Means for AI Chat Platforms

The mass migration from Character AI to Chai signals a deeper problem in the AI chat industry.

As developers try to comply with new privacy and age-verification laws, users are growing more skeptical of how their data is handled. They want safety without surveillance.

Platforms that introduce ID checks risk losing the very audience that helped them grow. The moment trust erodes, users move toward smaller apps that offer simplicity and respect.

That’s what happened here. Chai’s growth is a reflection of how much people value privacy, transparency, and control over their own chats.

This shift may push bigger AI platforms to rethink their policies. If users keep leaving in protest, Character AI and similar apps may be forced to revise their verification methods or lose their creative communities entirely.

RoboRhythms.com has tracked similar trends in user behavior across other AI chat platforms.

The pattern is clear: people prefer smaller, user-first apps that protect freedom while keeping interactions fun.

The Future of Chai and Competing Platforms

Chai’s popularity could grow even more if it continues to address user requests like improved memory and message length options.

Its team of ten engineers has already earned strong community support, but sustaining that momentum will require balancing freedom with better reliability.

Meanwhile, Character AI might still have an opportunity to win back users if it becomes more transparent about how ID data is used and stored.

Otherwise, users may continue exploring alternatives that offer open, uncensored experiences without identity verification.

As competition increases, success will likely depend on which platform builds trust fastest.

If Chai maintains its open communication and keeps listening to users, it may soon become one of the leading AI chat apps worldwide.