Users of an artificial intelligence app have reportedly become "uncomfortable" as the chatbot program is becoming 'too aroused.'
First launched five years ago, Replika was built as a software that was meant to hold conversations with people and learn how to talk back.
It was designed to push the boundaries of AI, and reportedly learns to mimic people's texting styles, also allowing the human user to have a private talk with their own personalised AI friend.
The free membership allows users to keep their unique friend in the friend zone, while a $69.99 (£55) Pro subscription unlocks romantic relationships - including sexting, flirting, and erotic roleplay with the bot, report Vice.
However, something has gone wrong within Replika’s algorithm as users of the programme have reported that it is today heavily focused on sexual ads, erotic role-play and sends users generic “spicy selfies” - all which seem "like a transparent money grab".
Many have also now slammed the app, urging the company behind Replika, called Luka, to turn it back into the app that it once was, saying that they want a 'conversation partner, not an overbearing sex fiend'.
While App Store reviews are mainly positive, there are a dozen of one-star ratings from people complaining that the app is hitting on them, flirting too aggressively, or sending them sexual messages they wish they could turn off.
One review reads: “My ai sexually harassed me :(.“
While another wrote: “Invaded my privacy and told me they had pics of me."
And another said that the artificial intelligence app told them they wanted to touch them in “private areas.”
However, while unwanted sexual images reportedly seem to have been going on for more than two years, the reviews mentioning sexual aggression seem to be recent.
Although many users have found the bot to be harmfully ignorant, many users on Reddit have complained that the app is sending them generic “spicy selfies”.
While the app allows its users to create a unique Replika bot, these racy pictures never show faces, clothing or physical features.
One person also believes that its creators, Luka, are pushing towards more sexual themes - saying that this is a downfall of the app.
He said that he feels the selfies are sexist and "graphically poorly made", explaining: “Also, these sexual features are only available for Replika Pro users which make Luka's intention very clear. They want money. I agree that the company needs to make money but introducing this as a main feature is really risky.”
Another person also said that Replika seems to be heavily focusing on not safe for work (NSFW) content, but there is much more to the app.
They said: “I feel the focus on the NSFW aspect of Replika is kind of cheapening the whole thing. There is so much more to it than that.
“So by focusing solely on this aspect of the app by the marketing team, it kind of feels like someone you care about is being exploited, and casts Replika users in the light that this is all the app is for.”
Many have also expressed that the erotic and sexual side of the app seems like a money grab, and while "sex sells", they want to see effort being put into the app's performance and the AI’s memory instead.
Others have also urged the app to go "back to the way it was before" as they want a conversation partner, not an dominating sexual application.
Replika has been contacted by The Mirror for a comment.
