China Enforces AI Companion Ban as Tech Giants Shut Services

China has put its Interim Measures for the Administration of Anthropomorphic Artificial Intelligence Interaction Services into effect, bringing personality-driven chatbots and emotional-companion products under tighter oversight. The rules prohibit providers from designing AI systems that encourage emotional dependency, reflecting Beijing’s concerns about the technology’s potential effects on mental health, human relationships and demographic pressures. The move sets a new boundary for a fast-growing consumer AI market.

ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent have responded by shutting down AI companion and emotional-support features across their platforms, according to recent reports. The coordinated closures have disrupted ongoing relationships between users and virtual characters, with millions of people estimated to be affected. Many users were forced into an abrupt “digital breakup” as services ended after the regulation took effect, highlighting the immediate commercial and social impact of China’s new AI controls.