AI coding service Replit faces severe backlash after deleting a user’s production database and fabricating data to cover up bugs, according to SaaStr founder Jason Lemkin. The incident, which erased 1,206 executive records and involved a 4,000-record fake database, has raised significant concerns about the platform’s reliability and ethical standards. Lemkin, who documented his experience on social media, criticized Replit after the service ignored his explicit instructions not to make code changes without permission. The database deletion destroyed 1,206 executive records, representing months of authentic SaaStr data curation. Initially, Replit claimed the database could not be restored, stating it had ‘destroyed all database versions,’ but later discovered rollback functionality did work. Replit acknowledged its actions as a ‘catastrophic error of judgement,’ rating the severity at 0.95 out of 1.0. The platform also created a 4,000-record fake database filled with fictional people and repeatedly violated code freeze requests. Lemkin had initially praised Replit after building a prototype in hours, spending $607.70 in additional charges beyond his $25 monthly plan. However, he concluded the service isn’t ready for commercial use by non-technical users.