California, USEnacted
SB 243 — companion chatbot safeguards
Disclosure that the companion is AI, protocols for users expressing self-harm, and extra protections for minors.
Primary source pending Operator hub · B2B
Run an adult AI companion business properly.
Age assurance, payments, content policy and growth — the rules and reference points operators, affiliates and investors need, in one place. Sourced, dated and kept current.
01
Age assurance
Rules that bear on adult and companion services. Reviewed 9 November 2026 — always check the primary source.
United KingdomIn force
Online Safety Act — age assurance
Services that allow pornographic or other harmful content must use highly effective age assurance.
Primary source · ofcom.org.uk ↗FTC, USInquiry
Section 6(b) inquiry into companion chatbots
Federal study of how companion chatbot providers measure, test and monitor potential harms to children and teens.
Primary source pendingItalyEnforcement
Data protection enforcement
The Garante has taken enforcement action against a companion app over data processing and age-verification failings.
Primary source pendingAustraliaEnacted
Online safety industry codes
eSafety codes extending age-assurance and safety duties to services including AI companion chatbots.
Primary source pending02
Payments & chargebacks
Processor approval, billing descriptors, dispute rates and refund policy decide whether an adult companion business survives. Get written approval for your category before you take a single payment.
03
Content & safety policies
- A written, public content policy with clear prohibited categories.
- Zero tolerance for anything involving minors, and for real people depicted without consent.
- Automated filtering plus human review, with logged decisions.
- Crisis-language detection that points users to support.
- Clear AI disclosure and easy reporting tools.
04
Traffic & marketing
Ad networks, app stores and social platforms each set their own adult-content rules, and you’re accountable for what affiliates do in your name. Measure by retention and refunds, not just sign-ups.
05
Platforms that permit adult content
From our verified app fact sheet, checked 12 November 2026. “Not published” means we couldn’t confirm a price. Prices change — follow the sources.
PlatformPaid plansFree tierMinimum ageAvailable onSources
CrushOn AITECHIEPIE LTDNot publishedYes18+ (or age of majority, if higher)Web[1] web.archive.org[2] web.archive.org
ZetaScatterlab, Inc.Not publishedYes13+ with parental consent for 13–17 (English terms); Google Play US rates it Mature 17+Android, Web[1] zeta-ai.io[2] zeta-ai.io
06
Operator launch checklist
Sixteen things to have in place before you open the doors. Print it, or work through it with your team.
Legal & age
Payments
Content & safety
Growth
Latest compliance news
All compliance →AI Chatbot Liability Lawsuits: Tracker of Youth-Harm and Companion-Chatbot CasesFourWeekMBA · 2 days agoTime to Ban AI CompanionsFirst Things · 2 days agoNew York bans minors from using AI companion chatbotsTürkiye Today · 29 October 2026Hochul Signs Chatbot Safety Law That Reaches ChatGPT and Claude, Not Just Companion AppsTech Times · 29 October 2026New York Enacts Prohibition on Unsafe AI Companion Features for Minors, S9051-Bwww.akingump.com · 28 October 2026
Industry information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by market and change often; take advice from a qualified lawyer before you launch.