China Imposes First National AI Romance Rules, Barring Dependence and Minors’ Virtual Intimacy
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Aug 23
China Imposes First National AI Romance Rules, Barring Dependence and Minors’ Virtual Intimacy
3 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Aug 23
Summary
July 15 marked the start of China’s first national rules for AI companions, banning systems that replace human interaction, induce addiction or dependence, or manipulate users’ emotions and decisions.
Adults can still use chatbots, but providers must disclose the interlocutor is AI, warn about excessive attachment, track usage time, and intervene or alert an emergency contact in self-harm cases; minors cannot be offered virtual intimate relationships.
ByteDance’s Doubao, Alibaba’s Qwen and Tencent’s Yuanbao have already removed customizable companion features, while some dedicated apps tightened age checks and NetEase-linked Miaoshi shut down.
Tencent-Fudan survey data from late 2025 showed 19.6% of young respondents saw AI as an ordinary friend, 12.6% as an intimate friend and 6.1% as a virtual partner, underscoring why Beijing sees the sector as a social-risk issue.
The clampdown is China’s broadest response yet to emotional AI and may shape global policy, even as Chinese firms keep exporting companion apps abroad and some users try to bypass domestic limits with foreign models via VPNs.