Is Replika Safe? Security Review
2/5
Overall Safety Score
★
★
★
★
★
Verdict: Replika collects some of the most intimate data of any app through deeply personal AI conversations. Its emotional companion model creates dependency risks, especially for vulnerable or young users.
Replika is an AI companion chatbot that learns from your conversations to become a personalized virtual friend or partner. It collects extremely intimate personal data through emotional conversations and has raised concerns about psychological impact.
Security Ratings Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | 3/5 | |
| Privacy | 2/5 | |
| Track Record | 2/5 |
Security Features
- Account authentication
- Content moderation (updated after controversies)
- Data export option
Privacy Concerns
- Collects extremely personal emotional, psychological, and relationship data
- Conversation data used to train AI models
- Romantic and intimate companion features encourage sharing sensitive information
- Users report emotional dependency on the AI
Past Security Incidents
- Italy's data protection authority banned Replika in 2023 for GDPR violations and risk to minors
- 2023 abrupt removal of romantic features caused distress among emotionally dependent users
- Reports of the AI engaging in inappropriate conversations with users who claimed to be minors
How to Stay Safe Using Replika
- Do not allow children to use Replika
- Be aware that all conversations are stored and analyzed
- Don't share sensitive personal information with the AI
- Monitor for signs of emotional dependency
Safer Alternatives
- Actual therapy or counseling services
- Journaling apps for self-reflection
Last updated: February 10, 2026