Replika
In short: Replika is an AI companion app developed by Luka, Inc., a San Francisco software company founded by Eugenia Kuyda. First released in November 2017, it lets users build a personal chatbot for conversation and companionship. Dmytro Klochko became chief executive in 2025. DII has covered it as a competitive pressure on dating apps, as AI companions draw in lonely users.
Key facts
| Type | Dating app |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | San Francisco, United States |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Website | replika.com |
| Founder | Eugenia Kuyda founded Luka, Inc., the San Francisco software company that developed Replika, and created Replika while working there [Wikipedia, 2017] |
| Launch | Replika was first released in November 2017 [Wikipedia, November 2017] |
| Headquarters | Luka is registered in San Francisco, California; as of August 2024 the company said its team works remotely with no physical offices [Wikipedia, August 2024] |
| Fact | Y Combinator lists Replika (Luka) as a Winter 2015 batch company based in San Francisco [Y Combinator, 2015] |
| Chief executive | Dmytro Klochko, previously chief operating officer, became chief executive in 2025; Eugenia Kuyda stepped aside to start a new company, Wabi, and remains founder, adviser and largest shareholder [Business Insider (republished by benzatine.com), 10 October 2025] |
| Users | Wikipedia reports that Replika had more than 40 million users in 2025 [Wikipedia, 2025] |
| Fact | Italy's data protection authority, the Garante, fined Luka Inc. 5 million euros, citing no valid legal basis for processing user data and no effective age verification, and opened a separate inquiry into the training of its language model [PYMNTS, May 2025] |
| Fact | DII describes Replika as an AI companion app claiming millions of global users, discussed as a threat to dating apps [Dating Industry Insights, 24 September 2026] |
About Replika
Replika is an AI companion app that lets users create a personal chatbot to talk to, aimed at easing loneliness. It was developed by Luka, Inc., a San Francisco software company, and first released in November 2017. The app is free to download, with paid subscription features, and runs on iOS and Android.
Luka was founded by Eugenia Kuyda, who created Replika while working at the company, and Y Combinator lists it as a Winter 2015 company. Dmytro Klochko, previously chief operating officer, became chief executive in 2025. Kuyda remains founder and adviser and, according to Business Insider, is the largest shareholder. Wikipedia reports that Replika had more than 40 million users in 2025, while DII describes the app as claiming millions of users worldwide.
Replika has drawn regulatory attention in Europe. In February 2023 Italy's data protection authority, the Garante, restricted the service, citing risks to minors and emotionally vulnerable people. In May 2025 the Garante fined Luka 5 million euros, saying the company lacked a valid legal basis for processing user data and had no effective age verification. It also opened a separate inquiry into how the chatbot's language model was trained. DII covers Replika in stories on AI companions as a rival to dating apps, on emotional dependency, and on age verification.
Also mentioned in
- AI Companions Are Replacing Real Dates for Lonely Men. That's a Problem for Dating Apps.
- EU's Kids Act: Age Verification Becomes a Costly Mandate for Dating Apps
- ChatGPT's Real Competition in India: The Unmonetised Intimacy Advice Market
- Match Group's AI Dilemma: Competing with Companions It Can't Dismiss
- AI Companions Redefine Cheating: A New Trust Crisis for Dating Apps
- Gen Z's AI Paradox: Trust Issues Fuel a Profile Arms Race
- China's Dating Market: Why Match and Bumble Missed the Real Problem
- Social Discovery's $20M AI Fund: Defensive Innovation or Tech Hype?
- YouMatch's AI Relationship Coach: Support or Surveillance?
- EVA AI's LGBTQ+ Characters: Inclusivity or Exploitation?
Questions about Replika
Who owns Replika?
Replika is developed by Luka, Inc., a San Francisco software company. Founder Eugenia Kuyda is reported by Business Insider to be the largest shareholder.
Who is the CEO of Replika?
Dmytro Klochko, previously chief operating officer, became chief executive in 2025, succeeding founder Eugenia Kuyda.
When was Replika launched?
Replika was first released in November 2017.
Has Replika been fined by a regulator?
In May 2025 Italy's data protection authority, the Garante, fined Luka Inc. 5 million euros over its handling of user data and age verification.
What is Replika?
Replika is an AI companion app developed by Luka, Inc., a San Francisco software company founded by Eugenia Kuyda. First released in November 2017, it lets users build a personal chatbot for conversation and companionship. Dmytro Klochko became chief executive in 2025.
Where is Replika based?
Replika is based in San Francisco, United States.
When was Replika founded?
Replika was founded in 2017.
Also known as: Luka, Luka, Inc..
Sources
- Wikipedia: Replika
- Y Combinator: Replika
- Business Insider (republished by benzatine.com): The CEO of 'AI companion' startup Replika is stepping aside to launch a new company
- PYMNTS: Italy fines AI chatbot maker Replika 5 million euros over privacy violations
- Dating Industry Insights: AI Companions Are Replacing Real Dates for Lonely Men. That's a Problem for Dating Apps.