UK Plans an 18+ Rule for AI Companions

The UK AI companion age limit plan (June 15, 2026)

The government's announcement, in the same release as its under-16s social media plan, says AI "romantic companion" chatbots that simulate sexual relationships or roleplay will have to enforce a minimum age of 18. It adds that similar intimate functions will be restricted for under-18s on AI chatbots more widely. Regulations using powers in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act are expected before Parliament before Christmas, and Ofcom was asked for a rapid study of effective age assurance.

This is a proposal. The release does not define "romantic companion" or set age-assurance standards, so we cannot say which apps would be covered.

What the Online Safety Act already requires

Sites and apps that allow pornography must use highly effective age assurance rather than a click-through box, reported to apply since July 25, 2025. Ofcom's explainer says a chatbot is regulated if it is a user-to-user service, a search service or publishes pornographic content. It falls outside the Act only if users interact solely with the bot, it does not search multiple sites and it cannot generate pornographic content.

Ofcom's investigation into Novi Ltd

Ofcom's January 15, 2026 release says it is investigating Novi Ltd's compliance with the Act's age-check requirements, meaning whether its AI character companion chatbot service uses highly effective age assurance to keep children from pornographic content. Ofcom put the service at nearly 6.5 million monthly users worldwide and 100,000 to 300,000 in the UK in late 2025. It has made no finding, and Ofcom's general powers include fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater.

Ofcom's release does not name the app or brand, and we have not established which product, if any, is tied to this company. We do not link the investigation to any app on this site.

Janitor AI, SpicyChat and the UK

Janitor AI's founder post judged compliance with the UK Online Safety Act impossible for a team of its size, and UK access was blocked from July 24, 2025. A June 15, 2026 post then announced a one-time k-ID age check for users in the UK, Australia and Brazil. SpicyChat's undated docs list the UK among the places where a video selfie or ID check is needed before NSFW content unlocks. See our Janitor AI and SpicyChat reviews.

What it means for UK users

If the plan becomes law, apps would have to enforce 18+, not just state it. Kindroid, Nomi, Chai, Janitor AI, SpicyChat and Replika already state 18+ in their terms or guidelines. Expect more selfie or ID checks, and read how an app handles that data first: our safety guide helps. Related coverage: Australia's age checks, US chatbot laws, the NSFW chat list and the news hub.