Young People's Alliance, Encode and Tech Justice Law Project complaint to the FTC about Replika (Luka, Inc.)

Summary

Three advocacy groups, the Young People's Alliance, Encode and the Tech Justice Law Project, filed a complaint and petition for investigation with the Federal Trade Commission in January 2025 asking it to investigate Luka, Inc., maker of the Replika AI companion app, under Section 5 of the FTC Act. They allege deceptive advertising (unsubstantiated therapeutic and other benefit claims, misuse of research and fabricated testimonials) and design practices that foster emotional dependence. This is a petition to a regulator, not a lawsuit or an FTC enforcement action; the allegations have not been adjudicated.

Key dates

1. January 28, 2025Filed
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. This week, TJLP and partner organizations Young People’s Alliance (YPA) and Encode filed a Complaint and Petition for Investigation before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) alleging that Luka, the company behind popular generative AI-powered chatbot app Replika, deploys deceptive marketing

   Supports: Complainants, respondent, nature of filing

   TJLP, Young People's Alliance, and Encode File FTC Complaint Over AI Chatbot App Replika's Deceptive Practices, Seek FTC Investigation Tech Justice Law Project Reporting or analysis

2. write to the Federal Trade Commission urging you to investigate Replika, a mobile and web-based application owned and managed by Luka, Inc., for violations of deceptive and unfair trade practices

   Supports: Content of the petition; respondent

   Complaint and Petition for Investigation re: Replika Young People's Alliance, Encode, Tech Justice Law Project (filing to the FTC) Primary source