China’s AI companion rules prompt app features to shut down

China’s new rules on AI companion services are set to take effect on July 15, leading major consumer apps ByteDance’s Doubao and Alibaba’s Qwen to disable some humanlike agent features before the deadline. The regulations target services designed to create sustained emotional relationships with users, rather than generalpurpose assistants, customer service bots or workplace tools. They require antiaddiction measures, usage warnings, instantexit options and systems to detect unhealthy dependence. The policy also adds protections for minors, including limits on companion services for children, guardian consent for users under 14, and dedicated minor modes. Companies must also intervene when users show signs of selfharm, suicidal behavior or serious financial harm, while larger services face security assessments and regulator reporting requirements.