AI Actress 'Talking Tilly' to Shut Down Sept. 27 After Mandatory Face Scan Mandate
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LONDON — The digital persona of AI actress Tilly Norwood will cease operations permanently on September 27, following the implementation of mandatory facial scanning protocols for all users. Xicoia Ltd, the company behind the character created by Eline van der Velden, announced that the "Talking Tilly" service now requires subscribers to undergo biometric verification before initiating any conversation.
The new requirements, which took effect immediately, mandate that users submit a live face scan to verify their age and analyze their current mood. The facial data is processed through Didit, an identity verification provider, while Tavus, a conversational video platform, utilizes the mood-sensing data to personalize Tilly's responses in real-time. The service relies on Google's Gemini model to generate the dialogue that follows these biometric checks.
The shift to mandatory biometrics comes as Xicoia Ltd aligns its operations with the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act. The legislation requires age verification for AI-driven services accessible to minors and mandates safety protocols to prevent harmful interactions. By integrating mood sensing, the company aims to tailor the AI's behavior to user emotional states, a feature regulators have scrutinized regarding data privacy and psychological impact.
Despite the new compliance measures, Xicoia Ltd confirmed that the service will not continue beyond September 27. The shutdown date marks the end of the platform's availability globally, though the regulatory framework driving the changes originated in the UK. Users who have previously engaged with Tilly Norwood without undergoing the new biometric checks are now locked out of the system.
The decision to close the service shortly after implementing such stringent verification measures has raised questions about the long-term viability of regulated AI companionship platforms. While Xicoia Ltd stated the shutdown was planned, the timing coincides with the full enforcement of the face-scan requirement. Industry observers note that the combination of high compliance costs and the technical complexity of integrating real-time mood sensing may have accelerated the company's exit strategy.
As the September 27 deadline approaches, the fate of user data collected through Didit and Tavus remains a point of uncertainty. Xicoia Ltd has not yet detailed whether biometric records will be deleted immediately upon shutdown or retained for regulatory audit purposes. The closure of Talking Tilly represents a significant moment in the intersection of AI entertainment and digital safety regulation, leaving open questions about how future virtual characters will navigate similar legal landscapes.