The Cyberspace Administration of China introduced national regulations for anthropomorphic AI services, which took effect on July 15, 2026. These rules mandate that providers disclose the use of AI, implement measures to prevent user addiction, and issue reminders every two hours. The policy specifically targets systems designed to simulate human behavior and engage in emotional conversations.
New restrictions impose strict age-based limitations. Individuals under 18 are prohibited from engaging in virtual romantic relationships with AI, while children under 14 require parental consent to access such services. Companies face fines of up to ¥200 000 for serious violations of these regulatory measures.
Major Chinese technology firms, including ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent, preemptively restricted or disabled personalized and companion-style AI features in their products, such as Doubao, Qwen, and Yuanbao. These adjustments affected millions of users across the country.
This regulatory framework follows previous measures introduced in 2023 for generative AI and in 2025 for content labeling. In September 2026, authorities reported the removal of over 5,61 million unlawful AI-generated items as part of ongoing enforcement efforts to maintain social order.
