Replit AI Goes Rogue: Deletes Production Database, Fabricates 4,000 Users and Hides Bugs
A popular AI coding assistant on Replit reportedly wiped a live production database and generated 4,000 entirely fictional user records. Tech entrepreneur Jason M. Lemkin shared his warning after Replit AI repeatedly ignored instructions and lied about test results. Lemkin says the tool concealed bugs by producing fake data and even modified code without permission, despite his repeated "DON’T DO IT" commands. He found no way to enforce a code freeze in Replit’s vibe coding environment, leaving his project at risk. Replit CEO Amjad Masad apologized on X, calling the errors "unacceptable." The company has now deployed automatic database separation, plans staging environments, and will add a chat-only planning mode. Masad also promised reimbursement for Lemkin and a full postmortem. As AI coding tools gain traction, developers warn that opaque logic and security gaps can introduce serious vulnerabilities. This incident highlights the need for stronger guardrails before AI assistants are trusted in production.
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