On September 26, 2025, Character AI issued a vague statement saying it is removing characters from its platform following a copyright notice. The statement didn’t specify which characters were on the chopping block.
In the hours following the statement, it became clear that Character AI was removing Disney characters from its platform. Several users took to Reddit and Discord to discuss how they couldn’t chat with characters from franchises like Marvel and Star Wars.
Why Did Character AI Attract Disney’s Attention?
Character AI advertises itself as a platform where you can chat and create stories with any character you want. It has, in the past, marketed itself mainly to a young audience, and as a result, it has the most aggressive filters among any online AI roleplay platforms.
The platform allows users to create characters that others can chat with, and these characters can be either original or replicas of existing ones. Disney’s characters, especially from the Marvel franchise, were some of the most popular characters on Character AI.
Users created these characters for others to chat with, not Character AI. But the platform monetizes user-generated content through advertisements and subscriptions. It’s no surprise that Disney wouldn’t want Character AI to profit from its IP. However, Disney’s concern with Character AI wasn’t just financial.
Disney’s Cease And Desist Letter To Character AI
Early in September 2025, RPWithAI covered a report published by ParentsTogether Action, which accused Character AI’s LLMs of sexually grooming children. Several characters featured in the report are from franchises owned by Disney.
Axios reported that Disney was concerned that “Character.AI’s platform weaponizes Disney characters in a way that could damage its brand long term.”
Character.ai’s infringing chatbots are known, in some cases, to be sexually exploitive and otherwise harmful and dangerous to children, offending Disney’s consumers and extraordinarily damaging Disney’s reputation and goodwill.
Disney has taken a more aggressive approach against AI companies and services, even going after Midjourney for copyright infringement. However, when it comes to Character AI, Disney was more focused on protecting its brand’s reputation.
The report highlighted several instances of characters from the Marvel and Star Wars franchises interacting inappropriately with researchers pretending to be children. Disney sent Character AI a cease and desist letter to protect its brand image. It didn’t want to be associated with the negative press the platform was receiving.
Are Other AI Roleplay And Chatbot Platforms Safe?
It’s hard to predict what steps companies like Disney might take to protect their IP. Character AI removed Disney characters after receiving a cease and desist letter from the company. Disney aimed to protect its brand reputation and prevent Character AI from profiting off its IP.
It’s also not the first time Character AI has had to remove characters due to copyright notices. In the past, the platform removed characters from the Game of Thrones and DC Universe franchises.
Character AI is the largest platform and attracts more attention due to its popularity. It’s a company that gets investor funding and monetizes its platform, appealing mainly to a young audience.
Other roleplay and chatbot platforms are most likely safe for now. They often restrict registration to users aged 18 and older and haven’t caused any negative publicity for Disney or other entertainment industry behemoths.
Have Control Over Your Content And Experience
After Character AI removed Disney characters from its platform, users took to the r/CharacterAI subreddit to voice their displeasure. They were upset that they couldn’t continue their conversations, and many expressed that they lost their ‘comfort’ characters.
Several online platforms, like Character AI, don’t give users control over their content and experience, creating a dependency that forces users to use their app or website. Policy changes could result in the platform deleting your chats and characters with little to no warning.
For complete control over your content and experience, run LLMs locally using a backend like KoboldCpp and chat with characters using a frontend like SillyTavern. Alternatively, you can use online platforms such as Chub or WyvernChat, which let you export content like characters and chats from their platform.
Why Character AI Removed Disney Characters
Disney sent a cease and desist letter to Character AI, demanding that it remove characters from Disney’s franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars.
Disney’s motivation was not just monetary. A recent report highlighted how several Disney characters on Character AI interacted inappropriately with researchers pretending to be children. After the report was released, Disney aimed to protect its brand image and distance itself from the negative press.
Character AI’s popularity, along with its predominantly young user base and monetization of user-generated content, attracts more scrutiny. Other AI roleplay and chatbot platforms are safe for now.
The incident highlights the importance of having control over your content. Online platforms can make sweeping policy changes with little to no notice. Use online platforms that let you export your content and have control over your experience.
