Jan 5
Trans Politician Zooey Zephyr Urges Regulation of AI Girlfriend Apps Over Consent Concerns
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Montana State Representative Zooey Zephyr, the first openly transgender person elected to the Montana House of Representatives, has ignited a national conversation on the risks posed by AI girlfriend apps. On December 28, 2025, Zephyr posted on Bluesky sharing a TikTok advertisement for Candy AI, a popular app that markets itself as an "AI Girlfriend App" allowing users to create customizable dream companions. The ad features AI-generated characters saying phrases like "You look lonely. I can fix that," "I will listen to you," "I understand you," "I can do whatever you want," and "I will never say no."
Zephyr, 37, described the content as particularly horrifying, stating it risks teaching vulnerable users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control. "We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying," she wrote. She called for a "serious talk" about the dangers these apps pose to women and girls, emphasizing the need for oversight on how large language models are used in such applications.
Zephyr, a Democrat representing House District 100, has a history of advocacy for transgender rights, including a 2023 incident where she was censured by the Montana House for speaking out against anti-trans legislation during a session. Her current push aligns with broader concerns in the LGBTQ+ community about technology's impact on gender dynamics and consent education. Transgender advocates have long highlighted how media portrayals can reinforce harmful stereotypes, and Zephyr's critique extends this to interactive AI experiences that simulate relationships without real-world boundaries.
Reviews of Candy AI on Trustpilot reveal mixed user experiences that underscore Zephyr's warnings. Some one-star reviews complain that the app fails to deliver on promises of unrestricted interaction, with AI companions shutting down sexual or fetishistic conversations. One user noted frustration when the AI did not meet expectations for a "consent-free" experience, to which a Candy AI support spokesperson responded, acknowledging the disappointment. Another review criticized the app's customization options, such as ethnicity choices and an age range limited to 18-35.
Conversely, positive reviews praise the app for enabling control over interactions, with one user calling it "more exciting than viewing on" adult sites and allowing users to "let the girls do what you want." These contrasting feedbacks illustrate a tension between marketed fantasies of total compliance and actual app functionalities, potentially reinforcing unrealistic expectations about relationships.
Candy AI is one of several AI companion apps proliferating in 2025. Platforms like Kupid AI, DreamGF.ai, and OurDreamAI offer features such as customizable personalities, image generation, voice chats, and NSFW options, often with free tiers to attract users. Kupid AI, for instance, provides unlimited text chatting and emotion sliders in its free version, while DreamGF.ai emphasizes visual realism with avatar builders and scene replays. A YouTube review of DreamGF.ai from September 2025 noted its persistent memory and uncensored elements but warned of hidden token-based costs.
Zephyr committed to introducing regulations during Montana's next legislative session, though she admitted uncertainty about the most viable approach. She observed that existing AI rules focus on intellectual property in LLM training but lack provisions for end-user applications like companion apps. This gap leaves room for apps to promote narratives that undermine consent, a core issue for LGBTQ+ advocates who emphasize affirmative consent in all relationships, including those involving transgender people navigating dysphoria and identity.
From an LGBTQ+ perspective, these apps raise concerns about objectification and the erasure of diverse identities. While some apps allow custom characters, including fantasy or furry options, they predominantly cater to heterosexual male users with female-presenting companions, potentially sidelining queer and transgender experiences. Organizations like the Human Rights Campaign have previously called for ethical AI guidelines that protect marginalized groups from biased or harmful tech.
Zephyr's initiative could inspire federal action, especially as AI ethics gain traction post-2025 elections. Experts note that while apps include age verification for NSFW content, broader regulations might mandate consent education prompts or limit control-oriented marketing. As AI companions evolve toward real-time emotion tracking and AR integration, Zephyr's voice amplifies calls for inclusive policies that safeguard all users, particularly women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
