AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
Talking Tilly, a service for video-calling AI character Tilly Norwood, now requires every caller worldwide to complete an automated age check. BleepingComputer reports that Xicoia Ltd added the requirement to its terms in September, alongside a workplace-use ban and new automated safety systems. The check cannot be skipped.
Selfie or photo ID required
Spain-based identity verification provider Didit analyzes a video selfie to estimate whether a caller is an adult. If the result is inconclusive, the user must upload government-issued photo identification. Xicoia says the images travel directly from the caller’s device to Didit, no faceprint or biometric template is created, and neither selfies nor ID images are retained after verification. The company keeps an approximate age range and a reference number.
Emotion analysis stays active
The service also monitors callers’ camera feeds and vocal tone during every conversation to infer their emotional state and adjust the character’s responses. According to the privacy policy reviewed by BleepingComputer, this processing cannot be disabled for individual calls. Xicoia identifies legitimate interests, rather than consent, as the legal basis for both age estimation and mood analysis.
Calls are recorded, transcribed and processed live by providers in the United States. Tilly’s responses use Google’s Gemini model through conversational video platform Tavus. Transcripts may be retained for up to eight weeks and reviewed by Xicoia staff and external partners. The character also remembers previous conversations for personalization, although users can request deletion of that memory.
Automated moderation has limitations
A classifier checks call transcripts for abusive language and can prevent users from receiving their recordings. During BleepingComputer’s test, one of three calls was incorrectly flagged despite covering weather and news headlines. The policy permits human review of disputed decisions, but recordings are permanently deleted after 24 hours regardless.
Service closes September 27
Talking Tilly provides five free minutes before offering paid call time, but the engagement is temporary. It is scheduled to shut down permanently at 11:59 PM Pacific on September 27, and any unused minutes will be forfeited. The worldwide age gate arrives as UK rules increasingly require age assurance online, including requirements introduced for adult sites in July 2025.
Source: Calling viral AI actress Tilly Norwood? Agree to a face scan first
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