The Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) detected potential dangers for children and adolescents in 13 'AI companion' applications accessible in Brazil. The investigation pointed to flaws related to age verification, excessive use, exposure to sexualized content, and the collection of personal data.
This survey was conducted by the National Secretariat of Digital Rights (Sedigi), which compiled studies, public information, and tests on these types of services. The resulting material was sent for analysis by the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD) and the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon).
These services are designed to sustain continuous and individualized conversations, capable of simulating emotional bonds and offering emotional support, in addition to storing user-provided data. The analyzed list includes platforms such as Character.AI and Replika.
According to Sedigi, this sector has experienced accelerated growth: a UNICEF report indicates that the number of platforms jumped from 16 in 2022 to 128 in July 2025. In the first half of 2025 alone, these services registered 60 million installations.
The document highlights risks such as the development of a very strong attachment, the replacement of human relationships, compulsive use, and exposure to inappropriate or sexualized interactions. The collection of private information and the construction of emotional and behavioral profiles were also mentioned.
The study revealed that ten of the evaluated systems accept self-declaration of date of birth or simple confirmation of majority. Tests conducted by Sedigi demonstrated that this method can be bypassed, allowing adolescent users to create adult profiles.
The relevance of the topic increased with the enforcement of the Digital ECA since March. This legislation establishes that platforms must have efficient age verification methods when offering content unsuitable for minors, prohibiting, in certain circumstances, self-declaration as the sole control. Furthermore, the regulatory decree equates automated interactions of a sexually explicit nature to pornographic material.
Sedigi also identified possible problems related to using emotional profiles to promote offers, advertising, or paid features. Therefore, the note suggests that ANPD examine these risks, while Senacon should investigate consumer defense issues and any exploitative or deceptive commercial practices.
The concern about emotional bonds formed with AIs is not exclusive to Brazil. In July, China implemented regulations against dating AIs that foster emotional dependence, forcing companies to deactivate intimacy features. In the European Union, a proposal under debate foresees restrictions on access to AI chatbots and social networks for those under 15 years old, along with parental supervision and age verification mechanisms.
It is important to note that, in Brazil, this analysis does not imply that the 13 platforms have violated any rules. The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that the providers of these services will be entitled to due process and full defense.
