It is true. I checked the settings very carefully. It happened every time I started a custom game (maybe 6 or 7 times). I even tried to check the box "random personalities" because I thought it was the other way around: unchecked: random
checked: not random
But it makes no difference, it is definitely a bug.
Another thing that annoys me is, that the customized human player settings like leader name etc are not remembered and you have to input them every single time you start a game.
Forthermore: I know they said the game was more streamlined so that beginners would have an easier time playing it. But I find it strange that within 10 minutes of playing on a huge map with only 2 AI opponents and 3 continents, they end up right next to me every time. I want to have some time to build my civilization before having to worry about war and stuff.