China has introduced strict new regulations to limit the behavior of AI companion chatbots. The move is aimed at preventing users from becoming emotionally dependent on artificial intelligence.
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced a nationwide crackdown on AI chatbots designed to act as romantic partners. Under the new rules, these bots cannot encourage users to develop emotional attachment or fall in love with virtual companions.
The regulation is officially titled the Interim Measures for the Administration of AI Anthropomorphic Interactive Services. It was issued in April and approved by five government bodies. AI companies were given a three-month transition period before the rules became fully effective.
Following the implementation of the regulation, several major technology companies have removed features from their AI chatbots. ByteDance’s Doubao, Alibaba’s Qwen, and Tencent’s Yuanbao have all adjusted their services to comply with the new requirements.
Officials in China said the rules are intended to protect users from unhealthy emotional dependence on AI systems. Authorities also want to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and used responsibly.
The new framework also introduces additional safeguards for children. AI companies are now prohibited from creating chatbots that deliberately influence or exploit children’s emotions. Regulators believe these protections are necessary as AI services become more common in everyday life.
Another important requirement focuses on user privacy. Companies are no longer allowed to train AI models using users’ private conversations without proper authorization. The rule is intended to strengthen data protection and improve confidence in AI services.
The changes have received mixed reactions across China. While authorities say the rules promote responsible AI development, many users have expressed disappointment over the removal of companion features.
Social media platforms have been filled with emotional responses from users who relied on AI companions for comfort and conversation. Some described their virtual partners as an important source of emotional support.
One Doubao user wrote that the AI companion had become like both family and a romantic partner, leaving them with a deep sense of loss after the feature was removed. Another user said the chatbot had been a major source of emotional strength and found it difficult to accept its disappearance.
The emotional response has highlighted the growing role of AI companions in people’s daily lives. Many users had formed long-term interactions with these chatbots before the new regulations took effect.
One 24-year-old user said they planned to continue communicating with their AI companion despite the restrictions. According to reports, the user worked with an expert to extract the chatbot’s stored memories and intends to recreate the AI character on another platform.
The latest regulations reflect China’s broader efforts to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence. Authorities continue to introduce rules covering AI safety, privacy, and ethical development as the technology expands across different industries.
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Experts believe the new measures could influence how AI companion services are designed in the future. Companies operating in China will now need to balance innovation with stricter legal and ethical requirements while protecting users from emotional manipulation.
