Tilly Norwood service requires 18+ face scan before September 27 shutdown

BleepingComputer reports that the viral AI actress Tilly Norwood's Talking Tilly video-call service now requires every caller to pass an automated 18+ age check before connecting. A video selfie is analysed by Spain-based identity provider Didit; a government photo ID is the fallback if the estimate is unclear.

Xicoia Ltd says the selfie goes directly from the device to Didit, no faceprint or biometric template is created, and neither the selfie nor an ID image is retained after the check. The company keeps an approximate age band and a reference number instead. The check applies worldwide and was added to the terms this month.

During calls, the service analyses camera footage and voice tone to infer mood. Calls are recorded, transcribed, and processed live by US providers, with responses generated by Google's Gemini through Tavus. BleepingComputer says one of three test calls was wrongly withheld by an automated classifier for abusive language; recordings are deleted after 24 hours.

The first five minutes are free. Paid options cost £0.99 for five minutes, £13 for 15 minutes, or £22 for 30 minutes, with purchases capped at 35 minutes per person. Transcripts may be retained for up to eight weeks.

Talking Tilly will shut down permanently at 11:59 PM Pacific on September 27. Xicoia says the character is an awareness project. Whether the earlier Chinese glitch on Piers Morgan Uncensored was accidental or staged remains uncertain.